Karachi, Pakistan: A Pakistan-registered K2 Airways cargo aircraft carrying five crew members went missing over the Arabian Sea late on July 7 after reporting a technical problem while en route from Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates to Karachi. As of the latest official update on July 8, authorities have not confirmed a crash, and an extensive multi-agency search and rescue operation remains underway.
According to the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA), the Boeing 737 freighter was operating a scheduled cargo service from Sharjah to Karachi when the crew reported a navigational system issue at 9:18 p.m. Pakistan Standard Time (PST). Air traffic controllers at the Karachi Area Control Centre (ACC) immediately began assisting the flight.
In an official statement, the PAA said, “K2 Airways B737 of Pakistan Cargo Flight en route from Sharjah to Karachi at time 2118 PST reported a navigational system issue and was promptly guided by Karachi ACC.”
However, only three minutes later, the situation deteriorated rapidly. The authority said that at 9:21 p.m. PST, radar displayed the aircraft making a rapid descent along with a sharp change in heading before both radar and radio contact were lost. The aircraft’s last known position was approximately 155 nautical miles (287 km/178 miles) west of Karachi over the Arabian Sea.
The PAA stated, “However, at 2121 PST, aircraft were observed on radar rapidly descending and with rapid heading change, subsequently radar contact and communication was lost approximately 155 nautical miles west of Karachi.”
The missing aircraft was a Boeing 737 cargo aircraft operated by Karachi-based K2 Airways, a Pakistani cargo airline that commenced operations in late 2024. Early flight-tracking data reviewed by Flightradar24 showed the aircraft experiencing a series of abrupt altitude changes before entering a steep final descent. While those data have led to speculation that the aircraft may have crashed into the sea southwest of Karachi, Pakistani authorities have not officially confirmed a crash.
Immediately after communication was lost, Pakistan activated its Rescue Coordination Center, launching a coordinated search operation in the Arabian Sea.
The search involves multiple agencies, including the:
- Pakistan Navy
- Pakistan Air Force (PAF)
- Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC)
- Rescue Coordination Center
- Merchant vessels operating in the area
According to official updates and Associated Press, the operation includes a Pakistan Navy frigate, a naval ATR maritime patrol aircraft, additional naval and air assets, and nearby commercial ships that have been directed to assist in locating the aircraft and its crew.
The Pakistan Airports Authority said, “Following the occurrence, the Rescue Coordination Center was activated, and a coordinated Search & Rescue operation at sea was launched through various agencies to locate the missing aircraft.” Authorities have confirmed that five crew members were on board. No passengers were being carried.
K2 Airways has identified the five crew members on board as Pilot-in-Command Mohammad Rizwan Idrees, First Officer Faisal Mehmood, Load Master Muhammad Toufique Khan, and Engineers Arif Siddiqui and Mohammad Hamid. No wreckage, emergency locator beacon signals, debris, or survivors have been officially located, and the cause of the aircraft’s disappearance remains unknown.
K2 Airways said it is fully cooperating with investigators and government agencies. In a statement shared by the airline, it said, “We continue to pray, earnestly, for the safety of our colleagues.”
Aviation analyst Imran Aslam told the Associated Press that the aircraft’s sudden descent was unusual, noting that even following an engine failure, an aircraft would typically continue gliding rather than descend so rapidly, adding further uncertainty about what may have occurred during the flight’s final moments.
The incident is now expected to be investigated by Pakistan’s aviation authorities once the aircraft is located. Until then, officials have urged against speculation while search teams continue combing the Arabian Sea.
