KARACHI, Pakistan – Web Desk: A private cargo aircraft of K2 Airways has gone missing near the Arabian Sea off the coast of Ormara in Balochistan, prompting a massive joint search and rescue operation by the Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Air Force, maritime agencies, and rescue organizations.
The Boeing 737 (registration AP-BOI) was flying from Sharjah to Karachi with five crew members onboard. According to the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA), the aircraft reported a navigational system malfunction at 9:18 PM, and the Karachi Area Control Center immediately provided guidance. At 9:21 PM, the aircraft was observed descending rapidly on radar and suddenly changed course before losing radar and communication contact approximately 155 nautical miles west of Karachi.
Search Operation Challenges: The search and rescue operation involves multiple assets including PAF and Navy ships and aircraft. However, the vast expanse of the open sea and rough waves, characteristic of June and July, have rendered the search operation a massive challenge . Rescue teams are continuing round-the-clock efforts despite adverse conditions.
Crew Members: The five crew members onboard were identified as Captain Muhammad Rizwan Idris, First Officer Faisal Mahmood, Load Master Muhammad Taufiq Khan, Engineer Arif Siddiqui, and Muhammad Hamid. Engineer Arif Siddiqui was a retired PIA engineer who had joined K2 Airways after retirement .
Investigation: The Bureau of Safety Investigation has dispatched an 11-member team from Islamabad to Karachi, while K2 Airways’ office at Karachi Airport has been sealed. Teams will collect evidence and examine records, and a maritime investigation team is scheduled to visit the crash site.
Prime Minister’s Condolences: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep grief over the tragic accident and directed the Civil Aviation Authority, Pakistan Navy, and PAF to intensify search and rescue operations, utilizing all available resources.
The aircraft had been in Sharjah for five days for repairs by a company called Northern Technics before returning to Karachi on a ferry flight (empty aircraft). Authorities continue to coordinate with Skywings Aviation and other agencies as maritime security assets, including fast response boats and surveillance aircraft, are deployed to locate the missing aircraft.
