A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighter jet crashed during a routine training exercise near the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) in Attock district, though both pilots survived after ejecting safely moments before the aircraft went down.
The aircraft involved was identified as a JF-17 Thunder fighter jet. Preliminary reports suggest the crash may have been caused by a technical malfunction. Officials confirmed that both pilots sustained injuries during the ejection but escaped with their lives. No civilian casualties or property damage have been reported so far.
According to NDTV, rescue and emergency teams reached the crash site soon after the incident. Locals from nearby areas also gathered around the site following the crash.
Videos widely shared on social media appeared to show the aircraft rapidly losing altitude before crashing, triggering thick smoke at the site. The clips also captured the pilots descending separately with parachutes after ejecting from the jet.
The incident has renewed scrutiny over the operational safety of Pakistan’s JF-17 fleet, which has been involved in multiple reported incidents over the years.
The JF-17 Thunder is jointly manufactured by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation. Considered one of the mainstay fighter aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force, the jet was developed as a lightweight, multi-role combat aircraft aimed at replacing ageing fighter fleets.
The aircraft is designed to perform several combat roles, including air interception, ground strikes, anti-ship warfare and reconnaissance missions. Defence experts have often described the JF-17 as a relatively affordable platform intended to enhance Pakistan’s air combat strength.
Over the years, the fighter jet has also gained international attention due to its China-Pakistan collaboration and its central role in Pakistan’s defence strategy.