Breaking: Pakistan airliner crashes en route to Islamabad

A PAKISTAN INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES plane carrying a reported 47 people has crashed in the north of the country, shortly after losing contact with air traffic control.

The number of casualties is not yet confirmed, but the civil aviation authority said that 47 people were on board, although the airline itself said there were “around 40 people” on board in its statement.

The carrier also confirmed that flight PK-661 lost contact with Chitral airport, and spokesman Danyal Gilani said that it was carrying 37 passengers.

Laiq Shah, a senior police official in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, said that the plane has come down in the Havelian region.

More details to follow.