Pakistan Air Force Fighter Jet Crashes, Killing Pilot

KEY POINTS

The jet crashed while rehearsing for an upcoming air show in the country
There was only one pilot in the aircraft
Authorities were looking out for any additional losses

A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) affiliated F-16 fighter jet crashed Wednesday, killing the pilot, the air force said.

"Pakistan Air Force reports with regret that a PAF F-16 aircraft crashed near Shakarparian, Islamabad during the rehearsals of 23 March parade," PAF said in a statement.

The incident occurred in a parade ground in the country’s capital Islamabad. The jet was rehearsing for a Pakistan Day air force show when it suddenly took a nosedive and crashed. PAF identified the pilot as Wing Commander Noman Akram, Reuters reported. The air force show was scheduled to be held on March 23.

“Wing Commander Noman Akram embraced martyrdom in the crash,” an air force spokesman told the publication, adding that Akram was the only pilot in the jet. The jet appeared to have lost control before the crash.

The site was cordoned off by police and security forces as Pakistan’s Air Headquarters ordered an inquiry into the crash of the U.S.-built aircraft.

Rescue teams were dispatched toward the site to ascertain if there were any additional losses. However, there was reportedly only remote possibility of more casualties as the parade ground was located in a significantly deserted area, albeit at the heart of the capital.