Karachi (Pakistan News): A private cargo aircraft traveling from Sharjah to Karachi has gone missing over the Arabian Sea near Karachi, prompting a large-scale search and rescue operation to locate the aircraft and its crew.
According to sources, the Pakistan Navy warship PNS Zulfiqar has reached the affected area to assist in the search, while a Pakistan Air Force Saab aircraft has departed from Bholari to participate in the operation.
In addition, a Pakistan Navy ATR aircraft has taken off from Turbat and joined the search mission, while the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation's commercial vessel Lahore has also been deployed for the rescue operation.
The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) confirmed that the private cargo aircraft had gone missing, stating that contact with the Sharjah-to-Karachi flight was lost during the journey.
According to the PAA spokesperson, the aircraft reported a malfunction in its navigation system during the flight, after which the Karachi Area Control Center (ACC) immediately provided guidance. However, shortly afterward, the aircraft suddenly began descending rapidly and also changed its course.
The spokesperson said the aircraft disappeared from radar approximately 155 nautical miles west of Karachi, and communication with it was lost at the same time.
Immediately after the incident, the Rescue Coordination Center was activated and a search and rescue operation was launched in the Arabian Sea.
According to the PAA, multiple agencies are jointly participating in the rescue efforts, while the missing cargo aircraft was carrying a crew of five.