A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) F-16 jet has crashed near Shakarparian, Islamabad.
It was engaged in aerobatic rehearsals ahead of Pakistan Day.
The incident occurred at around 11 am on 11, March 2020. Rescue teams have already reached the scene and police have cordoned off the area. Army helicopters were seen hovering near the crash zone as well.
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The crash was recorded by multiple people and shared on social media. A huge amount of smoke can be seen in the shared videos. Another video shows the pilot was near a residential area when it lost control. But he steered the aircraft away from any buildings just before the crash.
PAF spokesperson has issued an official statement on the matter;
Pakistan Air Force reports with regret that a PAF F-16 aircraft crashed near Shakarparian, Islamabad during the rehearsals of 23rd March parade. Rescue teams have been dispatched towards the site of the crash. A board of inquiry has been ordered by Air Headquarters to determine the cause of accident.
The PAF spokesperson has also confirmed the identity of the pilot: Wing Commander Nauman Akram, OC 9 Squadron.
He was considered the best pilot in the PAF and had recently flown Gen. Bajwa in an F-16.
Footage of F-16 crash today in Islamabad. pic.twitter.com/9avtyqdOhz
— Azhar Laghari (@AzharAliLeghari) March 11, 2020
JUST IN #BREAKING
A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) aircraft crashed in #Islamabad
Sources Claimed pic.twitter.com/Hlh2Q9v6TN— Mughees Ali (@mugheesali81) March 11, 2020
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People present on the scene said that they saw an F-16 crashing near the Parade Ground in Shakarparian, adding that they did not see a pilot ejecting.
JUST IN #BREAKING
A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) aircraft crashed in #Islamabad
Sources Claimed pic.twitter.com/Hlh2Q9v6TN— Mughees Ali (@mugheesali81) March 11, 2020
OH MY GOD I JUST SAW AN F16 crash and blow up IN FRONT OF ME #islamabad pic.twitter.com/GaC7ANHmE8
— Barrister Assad Saifullah Khan (B.A.S.K.) (@Assadk) March 11, 2020
Allah Reham farmay on our nation
Punjabi Eastblishment ke gunah hain aur kia. Aur marvi sirmad jaise logon ko helicopter se necha na pekho. Aur imran zani playboy jaise logon ko puppet PM banao jo sarey provinces mein same education system apne marne ke baad laye ga.
Nice bongi bro.
Somebody sent me some other footage as well, it can clearly be seen that some black smoke came from the back before the plane fell