Military jet pilot tried everything to minimise damage, says ISPR

The Air Force has formed a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the incident

The pilot of the military jet that crashed in Dhaka, killing 19 people, including students, made an "all-out effort" to minimise damage, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

As part of a routine training exercise, an F-7 BGI fighter jet took off from the Bangladesh Air Force Base Bir Uttam AK Khandker in Kurmitola at 1:06pm on Monday, the agency said. The aircraft, shortly after takeoff, experienced a mechanical malfunction.

Flight Lieutenant Towkir Islam made an “all-out effort” to steer the jet away from a densely populated area, to avoid a major disaster. The aircraft tragically crashed into a two-storey building of Milestone School and College in Dhaka’s Diabari.

The crash at least left 19 people dead, including the pilot, and injured 164 others.

The wounded were transported to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) and nearby medical facilities by Air Force aircraft and ambulances.

The ISPR says the Air Force has formed a high-level probe committee to determine the cause of the accident. Details will be disclosed following the investigation.