Global aviation watchdog Aviation Herald has said that Islamabad-bound Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight PK-661 crashed near Abbottabad due to engine problems.
The Dawn reported Chitral airport sources as confirming that famous Pakistani singer-cum-evangelist Junaid Jamshed and Deputy Commissioner Umar Waraich were on board the flight and are feared to be among the casualties.
The flight with 47 passengers on board departed from Chitral at 3:30 p.m. and disappeared from the air control radar soon after takeoff.
Meanwhile, the military's media wing ISPR said the army dispatched troops and helicopters to the crash site for rescue efforts.