The pilot was martyred when an F-16 fighter jet was crashed in a jungle near Islamabad on Wednesday while taking part in a rehearsal for March 23 Pakistan Day parade.

The people of Islamabad witnessed the aircraft going down and crashing on the ground with a loud bang amid the usual calm associated with the city after which a thick cloud of smoke billowed from the crash site.

Confirming the crash, a statement of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) said the jet fighter was part of a rehearsal for the Pakistan Day parade.

The plane came down in the jungle of Chaand Taara near Shakkar Parriyan in the federal capital.

The spokesman for Pakistan Air Force said that rescue teams have been rushed to the scene of the incident, and the authorities have established an inquiry board at the Air Headquarters to probe the reasons that led to the F-16 crash.

Wing Commander Noman Akram embraced martyrdom as he could not eject the plane.

National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser also broke the news in the Assembly session, informing members that the pilot has been martyred. The House offered fateha for Nomar Akram.

The US-built F-16 was taking part in rehearsals for a Pakistan Day air show and parade set to take place on March 23, according to a statement by the Pakistan Air Force.

COAS pays glowing tribute to pilot

Chief of the Army Staff COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa has paid a glowing tribute on shahadat of brave heart Wing Commander Noman Akram in the line of duty, said an ISPR tweet.

The COAS said, “Laying one’s life is the ultimate sacrifice one can make for defence of the motherland. May his soul rest in peace. My thoughts and sincere prayers for the bereaved family.”

https://twitter.com/OfficialDGISPR/status/1237736058667905025

Funeral prayers

Wing Commander Noman Akram belonged to Lahore and has left behind a widow and two children – 13-year-old son and eight-year-old daughter. His funeral prayers will be offered at 11:30am at A-Block, Askari X, Lahore.