Article Posted on : - Feb 08, 2012

A PAF photo.

ISLAMABAD (PTI): A China-made Pakistan Air Force jet crashed Wednesday while on a routine training mission in southwestern Balochistan province, killing the pilot.

"A F-7PG PAF fighter aircraft, while on a routine training mission, crashed 24 nautical miles north of Quetta (the capital of Balochistan)," a PAF statement said.

The pilot was killed in the crash, the statement said.

"No loss to civilian life or property on ground has been reported," it added.

The PAF ordered an official inquiry to determine the cause of the accident.

The Chinese-made aircraft came down near Pishin, 50 km from Quetta, shortly after taking off from an airbase, TV news channels reported.

This was the fourth air force jet to crash in three months, media reports said.

Two pilots were killed in recent accidents and a helicopter crash in June last year killed four military personnel.

The PAF has a large fleet of Chinese aircraft, including F-7PGs and A-5s.

It also operates US-made F-16s and French Mirage jets.

It recently inducted the JF-7 Thunder jet which was jointly developed by China and Pakistan.