By Our Correspondent
KARACHI : The Pakistan Navy (PN) and the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) have recovered the wreckage of a K2 Airways Boeing 737 cargo aircraft that went missing overnight during a joint search and rescue operation, according to an official statement.
The statement said the Pakistan Navy and PMSA conducted a coordinated search operation that continued for approximately 12 hours before locating the aircraft’s wreckage.
Officials said the debris was found in deep waters of the Arabian Sea, approximately 53 nautical miles south of Ormara.
Authorities confirmed that the wreckage has been identified, while the relevant agencies have initiated further investigation and are carrying out the necessary procedures to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The official statement did not disclose details regarding the number of crew members on board, possible casualties, the flight route or the cause of the aircraft’s disappearance.
PN and PMSA after 12 hours of Search & Rescue operations in deep Sea have successfully located and identified wreckage of K2 Airways Cargo B737 which was declared missing last night. The wreckage was recovered from 53 NM South of ORMARA. pic.twitter.com/0dZpj8s7u3
— Pakistan Airports Authority (@Pk_PAA_Official) July 8, 2026
Further information is expected to be released as the investigation progresses.
The cargo aircraft flying from Sharjah to Karachi crashed into the Arabian Sea after losing contact with air traffic control, prompting an extensive search and rescue operation involving the Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Air Force and other maritime agencies.
According to the Pakistan Airport Authority (PAA), the cargo aircraft disappeared from radar approximately 155 nautical miles west of Karachi before crashing into the sea nearly 300 kilometres off Pakistan’s coastline.
Officials said communication with the aircraft was lost at around 9:21pm Pakistan Standard Time after the crew reported technical problems affecting the aircraft’s navigation system.
The aircraft was identified as a Boeing 737 cargo plane operated by K2 Airways. Five crew members were on board at the time of the incident.
Authorities identified the pilots as Captain Rizwan Idrees and First Officer Faisal Jatoi. No information regarding the remaining crew members was immediately released.
The PAA said the flight had departed from Sharjah and was scheduled to land in Karachi before communication with the aircraft was unexpectedly interrupted.
According to aviation officials, the crew informed air traffic controllers about a technical malfunction involving the aircraft’s navigational system shortly before the emergency unfolded.
The Area Control Centre immediately provided navigational assistance and attempted to guide the aircraft safely toward its destination.
However, officials said the aircraft began losing altitude rapidly within minutes of the initial report. Flight tracking information indicated that the plane also made a sudden change in direction before disappearing from radar screens.
Communication with the flight crew was subsequently lost, prompting authorities to activate emergency response procedures.
Following the disappearance of the aircraft, the Pakistan Airport Authority immediately notified relevant defence and maritime agencies to begin coordinated search and rescue operations.
The Rescue Coordination Centre launched an emergency response involving multiple organizations responsible for aviation safety and maritime emergencies.
Pakistan Navy warship PNS Zulfiquar was dispatched toward the reported crash location to assist in locating the missing aircraft and search for possible survivors.
The Pakistan Air Force also deployed a Saab airborne early warning and control aircraft from Bholari Airbase in Sindh to conduct aerial surveillance over the search area.
In addition, a Pakistan Navy ATR aircraft operating from Turbat joined the operation to expand aerial search coverage across the Arabian Sea.
Authorities also directed Pakistan National Shipping Corporation oil tanker MT Lahore, which was operating in nearby waters, to assist rescue teams by monitoring the surrounding maritime area.
Officials said the search operation is continuing despite the considerable distance between the crash site and Pakistan’s coastline.
Aviation experts note that cargo aircraft operating over open waters rely heavily on navigation and communication systems, making technical failures particularly challenging during long-distance flights.
Investigators are expected to examine flight data, maintenance records, weather conditions and communication logs once evidence from the crash site becomes available.
If the aircraft’s flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder are recovered, investigators believe they will provide critical information regarding the events leading to the accident.
Pakistan’s Civil Aviation authorities are also expected to launch a formal investigation to determine whether mechanical failure, equipment malfunction or other operational factors contributed to the crash.
Officials have not confirmed whether an emergency distress signal was transmitted before communication was lost.
Family members of the crew have been informed about the incident, while authorities continue efforts to locate the aircraft and determine the fate of those on board.
Maritime search operations remain underway, with rescue teams covering a wide area of the Arabian Sea using naval vessels, surveillance aircraft and commercial shipping support.
The Pakistan Airport Authority said additional updates will be issued as search efforts continue and more information becomes available regarding one of the country’s most significant cargo aviation emergencies in recent years.
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