Earlier today, onlookers witnessed the crash of an F-16 in Islamabad.

Today, around 11 am, people on Twitter began to talk about a possible plane crash. People immediately showed great concern when massive clouds of smoke began appearing from a ground in Islamabad and thus, questions of the possible sources began pouring in.

#Islamabad did a plane just go down somewhere? Saw a bunch of smoke and one of the waiters around me claimed he saw a plane go down.

— Baakh Nusrat (@bnusrat) March 11, 2020

Soon after the worrisome tweets, The tragic news of the jet crash was confirmed as videos began appearing on the Twitter feed. The jet crashed during the rehearsals for 23rd March – Pakistan Day.

Video by onlookers of what appears to be an F16-A fighter jet which has crashed today at Islamabad during the 23rd March rehearsals, the crash took place near Parade avenue. #Islamabad https://t.co/bUu69nrqql pic.twitter.com/3yglU4hjjh

— Anas Mallick (@AnasMallick) March 11, 2020

Saw a jet nose-diving and within seconds it was crashed in #Islamabad pic.twitter.com/wBdjBhyuH8

— Shiraz Hassan (@ShirazHassan) March 11, 2020

The pilot of the jet, Wing Commander Noman Akram, embraced martyrdom during the tragic crash.

Rescue teams were rushed to the site of crash but unfortunately, Wing Commander Noman Akram embraced martyrdom during the crash of the F-16.

Pakistan Air Force #PAF F-16 aircraft crashed near #Islamabad earlier today during rehearsals for 23rd March parade.
Rescue teams rushed to the site of crash, while inquiry has been ordered by Air Headquarters to determine cause of accident. Wg Cdr Noman Akram embraced Martyrdom. pic.twitter.com/JuVWciiJx9

— Zain Khan (@ZKhanOfficial) March 11, 2020

People of the internet began flooding the feed with prayers and consolations. People immediately took to their social media platforms to talk about the bravery of WC Noman Akram and the dreadful unfairness of the tragedy.

We Lost Another TOP GUN (WC Noman Akram, OC-9 Griffins Squadron) Of PAF. He was a Star Pilot & 1 of the Champions of the ISAC-2019 Competition. May His Soul Rest in Peace.#Islamabad #PAF #planecrash #BREAKING #Pilot #ISPR #F16Crash pic.twitter.com/XUEB4jBVDQ pic.twitter.com/O7XL9wNBEt

— Uzair Malik (@uzair143924) March 11, 2020

Nauman was one of our finest. The Sher Afghan award winner last year. A truly wonderful human and aviator. May Allah accept his contributions and sacrifice.

May family have the strength to bear this unfathomable loss. Ameen.

RIP you soldier of Pakistan. ❤️

— Azam Jamil (@AzamJamil53) March 11, 2020

Wing Commander "Noman Akram"
(Champion Of Sherafgan Trophy 2019)
Embraced Shahadat In F-16 Crash During Rehearsal Near Shakarparian Islamabad.
May Allah Give Patience To His Family & Grant Him Higher Ranks In Jannah.#Islamabad #planecrash pic.twitter.com/N8jre8KHog

— Champion Marwat (@Champion_Marwat) March 11, 2020

People even speculated that WC Noman Akram did not eject the crashing plane because of his continuous efforts to save civilians.

He didn't eject. He gave his life for 2 reasons
1. To lift up the asset (F-16)
2. To save civilians from aircraft

But he forgot one thing, he was an asset actually. 😢#Islamabad #planecrash#F16Crash
f16 pic.twitter.com/zbTHcW5lQb

— SAQIB FARAZ (@saqibfraz72) March 11, 2020

People were deeply saddened and heartbroken.

i am so overwhelmingly sad about the pilot whos plane crashed today. inna lillahi wa inna alaihi rajioun. he was a friend of a close relative. plane crashed during rehearsals for the parade. honestly i don’t see the point in having a parade on 23rd march now after this incident.

— wood elf (@iamkuds) March 11, 2020

Stories of pilots who lost their lives in jet crashes began pouring in as well.

My chacha lost his life in a fighter jet crash during training. I wasn’t born then but we’ve grown up remembering our chacha every year on the day of his crash.

Hope the pilot is safe in today’s incident 😞

— Manahyl (@manahylk) March 11, 2020

My grandmother’s brother was in PAF , Ali El -Edroos he was showing her his skills during a practice session and it crashed in front of her ! She was only 20 and talked about her brave brother till she passed away at 95!

— Tanya Afridi (@tanyafaridi) March 11, 2020

The news, for sure, casts a gloomy spell over the nation as they try to cope with the loss of a hero. We, here at MangoBaaz, are praying for the family of the lost soldier and the departed soul.

Cover image via curi_hay@Twitter/FarrukhFL@Twitter