Wreckage of missing cargo aircraft found off Ormara: PAA

Karachi (Web Desk): Pakistan Navy and the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) on Wednesday located the wreckage of the cargo aircraft that disappeared late Tuesday, bringing a significant breakthrough after an extensive overnight search operation.

According to the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA), the aircraft's wreckage was discovered in the Arabian Sea approximately 53 nautical miles south of the Ormara coastline following more than 12 hours of coordinated search efforts by naval and maritime teams.

The PAA added that rescue and recovery operations are underway as officials work to locate the missing crew members and collect further evidence that could help determine the cause of the crash.

Pakistan Navy and PMSA ships, aircraft and other operational assets remain deployed in the area, with search teams continuing to comb the site where the wreckage was found as the investigation and recovery mission progresses.

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

The PAA also said that further details will be released as the search operation continues.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday directed the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Pakistan Navy (PN) and Pakistan Air Force (PAF) to accelerate search and rescue efforts for the cargo flight, which had been travelling from Sharjah to Karachi.

He also conveyed his sincere condolences and sympathies to the families of the five crew members who were on board.

President Asif Ali Zardari also expressed his concern over the disappearance of the cargo aircraft and hoped that the ongoing search and rescue mission would be successful, a statement issued by the President House said.

The president offered his heartfelt sympathies to the families of the crew members aboard the missing aircraft and assured them of his unwavering support and solidarity as they endure this difficult and distressing period.

صدرِ مملکت آصف علی زرداری نے نجی کارگو طیارے کے بحیرۂ عرب میں لاپتہ ہونے پر گہری تشویش اور افسوس کا اظہار کیا۔

صدرِ مملکت نے لاپتہ طیارے کے عملے کی خیریت کے لیے دعا کرتے ہوئے سرچ اور ریسکیو کارروائیوں کی کامیابی کی امید ظاہر کی۔

صدرِ مملکت نے طیارے کے عملے کے اہلِ خانہ سے…

— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) July 8, 2026

A Boeing 737-400 freighter operated by K2 Airways disappeared from radar screens late Tuesday while flying over the Arabian Sea, approximately 300 kilometres west of Karachi.

K2 Airways is a Karachi-based private carrier that began operations after obtaining its airline charter licence from the government in May 2018.

Reports indicated that the aircraft lost communication as it approached Pakistan’s airspace. Before contact was severed, the pilot alerted the area control centre about a navigation malfunction and requested operational assistance.