KARACHI: Pakistan’s search operation for a missing K2 Airways cargo aircraft has intensified, with the Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Air Force deploying additional air and naval assets to locate the aircraft, which disappeared during a flight from Sharjah to Karachi.
According to aviation sources, the Boeing 737-400 cargo aircraft lost communication with air traffic control at around 9:30 pm while flying over the Arabian Sea near Ormara. The aircraft, carrying five crew members, reportedly disappeared approximately 300 nautical miles off the Karachi coast.
The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) confirmed that a large-scale search and rescue operation is underway after the aircraft reported a navigation system malfunction. The Karachi Area Control Centre immediately issued instructions to the crew after detecting the technical problem.
Preliminary information indicates the aircraft experienced a rapid loss of altitude at around 9:21 pm before vanishing from radar within seconds.
Rescue Teams Continue Search as Airline Cooperates
As part of the operation, the Pakistan Navy has deployed the warship PNS Zulfiqar, while a Pakistan Air Force Saab surveillance aircraft is conducting aerial searches over the designated area.
A Pakistan Navy ATR aircraft has also departed from Turbat to assist in the rescue mission. In addition, the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation has dispatched its merchant vessel Lahore to support the search efforts at sea.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, K2 Airways identified the five crew members on board and said it is fully cooperating with the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority and other government agencies involved in the investigation and rescue operation.
“We continue to pray, earnestly, for the safety of our colleagues,” the airline said.
Preliminary data from FlightRadar24 indicated the aircraft experienced significant altitude fluctuations before entering a steep descent, although authorities have not yet determined the cause of the incident.
Search teams continue to scan the area, with no confirmed sightings of the aircraft or its crew reported so far.
