MARDAN — A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) trainer aircraft crashed near the city of Mardan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during a routine training mission on Monday, resulting in the tragic martyrdom of both pilots on board.
Key Highlights
- A PAF training aircraft crashed on a routine flight near Mardan.
- Flight Lieutenant Muhammad Qasim Abdullah (PAF) and Lieutenant Taha Abbasi (Pakistan Navy) were martyred.
- Air Headquarters has formally ordered a board of inquiry to determine the cause of the accident.
- Top civil and military leaders expressed deep grief and offered condolences to the families.
Deeply grieved by the tragic crash of a Pakistan Air Force trainer aircraft near Mardan during a routine training sortie. We pay tribute to Flight Lieutenant Muhammad Qasim Abdullah (PAF) and Lieutenant Taha Abbasi (Pakistan Navy), who embraced Shahadat in the line of duty.…
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) June 15, 2026
Routine Mission Ends in Tragedy
According to an official statement released by the military’s media affairs wing, the aircraft was executing a standard training sortie when the fatal incident occurred. The two fallen officers were identified as Flight Lieutenant Muhammad Qasim Abdullah of the PAF and Lieutenant Taha Abbasi from the Pakistan Navy, highlighting the inter-services nature of the training flight.
Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, along with the services chiefs and all ranks of the Pakistan Armed Forces, expressed profound sorrow over the loss of life. Air Headquarters has initiated a board of inquiry to investigate the technical or operational factors leading to the crash. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar also paid tribute to the pilots, offering heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.
