Pakistan Air Force Fighter Jet crashes near Islamabad Park

An F-16 fighter jet belonging to the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has crashed near a park in the capital Islamabad.

An F-16 fighter jet belonging to the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has crashed near a park in the capital Islamabad.

In a statement, the Pakistan Air Force said the US-built F-16 aircraft was carrying out rehearsals for the country’s Republic Day parade to be held on 23 March.

“Pakistan Air Force reports with regret that a PAF F-16 aircraft crashed near Shakarparian, Islamabad during the rehearsals of 23 March parade,” the air force said in its statement. “Rescue teams have been dispatched towards the site of the crash.”

It added that “a board of inquiry has been ordered by Air Headquarters to determine the cause of the incident”.

Footage posted on social media, seemingly shot from nearby buildings, showed the moment the plane came down and smoke and flames billowing into the sky.

According to a PAF spokesman, Wing Commander Noman Akram embraced martyrdom in the incident.