A Pakistani fighter aircraft has crashed in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad and its pilot has been captured alive, according to statements from Afghan military and police officials.
Police spokesman Tayeb Hammad said the aircraft was brought down in the city’s sixth district and that the pilot was detained at the scene. The Afghan military’s eastern command also confirmed the incident, stating that the jet had been shot down by Afghan forces and that the pilot was now in custody.
Residents in Jalalabad told reporters that they saw a man parachute from the aircraft before being apprehended by security personnel. There was no immediate confirmation from Pakistani authorities regarding the reported downing of the jet.
The circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear, including the reason the aircraft was operating over Jalalabad and the events that led to its reported interception.
The development is likely to heighten tensions between the two neighbouring countries, which share a long and often volatile border. Cross-border security incidents have periodically strained relations between Kabul and Islamabad, particularly in eastern Afghanistan.
Officials have not yet provided further details about the pilot’s condition or potential diplomatic engagement between the two governments following the incident.
Investigations into the crash and the broader context of the event are ongoing.
