PAF trainer aircraft crashes near Mardan; both pilots embrace martyrdom

RAWALPINDI, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Jun, 2026) A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) trainer aircraft on a routine training sortie crashed near Mardan on Monday.

As a result, both pilots—Flight Lieutenant Muhammad Qasim Abdullah (Pakistan Air Force) and Lieutenant Taha Abbasi (Pakistan Navy) embraced Shahadat (martyrdom).

A board of inquiry has been constituted by Air Headquarters to ascertain the cause of accident, said a news release issued by Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, Services Chiefs and all Ranks Pakistan Armed Forces express deep grief over the tragic loss of precious lives and extend heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, it further said.