Pakistan Air Force has officially stated that one of their F-16 aircraft crashed in the Shakarparian, Islamabad. The plane was practising for the rehearsal for the Pakistan Day Parade on March 23. Earlier this month, on February 12, a PAF trainer plane was crashed.
Two videos shot by citizens showing crash of #F16 aircraft in #Islamabad. #PAF spokesperson said the aircraft crashed near #Shakarparian during rehearsals of #23rdMarch parade. May Allah bless the brave pilot Wing Commander Norman Akram. pic.twitter.com/A4VAoRSY3W
— Arshad Sharif (@arsched) March 11, 2020
Pilot Of PAF F-16 Dead In The Crash
However, wing Commander Noman Akram who was flying the F-16 fighter plane has died in this accident. He was awarded the coveted Sher Afgan Trophy for being the best marksman in the flight competition. Security forces have surrounded the crashed area after the incident. At the same time, rescue teams were also immediately sent to the scene along with ambulances. It is not yet known under which circumstances the fighter plane crashed. A board of inquiry will investigate the incident.
Pakistan Air Force Wing Commander Noman Akram OC 9 sqaurdron from 106 gdp has been killed in the F16 crash today in Islamabad, Pakistan. The F16 was part of 23rd March rehearsals. Rest in Peace! Condolences to family. pic.twitter.com/bnBfN39E4L
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) March 11, 2020
In addition, Islamabad Mayor Sheikh Ansar Aziz said that Pakistan Army and PAF officers have sealed the area. The Shakarparian capital has a hilly area, located near the Point Zero Interchange. Above all, the F-16 aircraft which Nouman Akram was flying are American-made. The United States had handed over these aircraft to Pakistan under an agreement.
Furthermore, last month, a Pakistan Air Force trainer plane crashed during routine training on 12 February. This was the third PAF training aircraft that has crashed in less than two months. Moreover, in February a PAF Mirage aircraft which was on a regular operational training mission got hit. The crash occurred near the Lahore-Multan motorway.
