A Pakistan Air Force training aircraft crashed near Mardan during a routine training flight on Monday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

According to the military’s media wing, Flight Lieutenant Muhammad Qasim Abdullah of the Pakistan Air Force and Lieutenant Taha Abbasi of the Pakistan Navy were martyred in the incident.

The ISPR said that following the crash, Air Headquarters has constituted a Board of Inquiry to determine the cause of the incident.

Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, along with the services chiefs and all ranks of the armed forces, expressed deep sorrow and grief over the loss of precious lives.

They also extended heartfelt condolences and solidarity to the families of the martyrs.

Separately, President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and other leaders expressed grief over the incident and paid tribute to the martyred officers.