MIANWALI: An FT-7 aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) crashed in fields on northern outskirt of Mianwali city on Tuesday morning.

The aircraft was on a routine operational training mission from MM Alam Base, Mianwali, and apparently some technical fault caused the crash.

Both pilots on board, Sq-Leader Haris (instructor) and Flying Officer Ibadur Rehman were martyred. The aircraft crashed in open fields of village Jhabri, away from populace and few kilometre from the air base.

After the crash, the police cordoned off the area while PAF officials from MM Alam Base also arrived at the spot and started an inquiry to find the cause of the crash.

Pakistan’s first female fighter pilot Maryum Mukhtiar was martyred while on a duty flight near Mianwali on Nov 24, 2015.

Published in Dawn, January 8th, 2020