PAF jet crashes killing first female flying officer Maryam Mukhtiar

PAF jet crashes killing first female flying officer Maryam Mukhtiar

Islamabad: First Female flying Officer of Pakistan Marium Mukhtiar, was martyred after a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) FT-7 training aircraft crashed near Kundian in Mianwali district on Tuesday. The PAF fighter jet was on a routine operational training mission when a technical snag caused the crash. 

Flying Officer Marium Mukhtiar and Squadron Leader Saqib Abbasi were flying a training mission and encountered a “serious in-flight emergency” during the final stages, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) spokesperson said in a statement.

“Both pilots handled the emergency with professionalism and courage and tried to save the aircraft till the last minute, ensuring safety of property and the civilian population on the ground. Though both the pilots were able to eject on time, they sustained injuries and the aircraft crashed in Kundian area of Mianwali”, PAF spokesperson told.

According to the spokesperson, the male officer, Abbasi, sustained minor injuries whereas flying officer Maryam Mukhtiar embraced martyrdom and became the first lady pilot from PAF to attain this great honor.

24 year old Maryam was from Karachi and became a commissioned officer in Pakistan Airforce more than two years ago.

Last year, BBC had interviewed Marium, who talked about the challenges she faced and said that her parents were concerned when she opted to join Airforce but they supported her because they knew that it was her passion”.

She also said that she felt proud that she was a part of Pakistan Airforce.