KARACHI: A Mirage training jet of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) crashed in Gadap area on the outskirts of Karachi on Friday while it was on a training flight, officials said.

PAF helicopters had reached the site of the crash for rescue operations, DawnNews reported.

A spokesman of Pakistan Air Force (PAF), later in a statement confirmed the incident saying Squadron Leader Tanveer Ahmed has died in the crash.

The spokesman said the crashed aircraft was flying under night operational training, adding that the air headquarters has directed to launch an investigation into the incident.

A senior police officer said the jet appeared to have caught fire in the air before it landed.

“Locals told police that the aircraft appeared to have caught fire in the air before it crashed with an explosion,” SSP Rao Anwar told DawnNews.

A DawnNews reporter at the location said the rescue work was being hindered by the lack of proper light in the remote area which lies on the outskirts of Karachi far from any populated locality.

A search and rescue operation was underway at the time of filing of this report.