Jashore: Two pilots of the rank of Squadron Leader of the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) were killed as the K-8W training aircraft they were flying in crashed into a water body in Sadar upazila on Sunday night.

Squadron Leader Md Serajul Islam and Sqn Ldr Enayet Kabir Polash had taken off from BAF Base Matiur Rahman on a night training mission with the Chinese-made K-8W, confirmed Rezaul Karim Shammee, Assistant Director of ISPR, reports the UNB.

Manager at Jessore Airport Alamgir Pathan told UNB that the aircraft crashed into the Bukbhora Baor of Faridpur village around 9:20pm, shortly after taking off from the BAF Base Matiur Rahman.

A rescue mission is underway and a high level committee has been formed for an inquiry, added ISPR assistant director.

Officer-in-Charge of Kotwali Police Station Abul Bashar Miah said police and firefighters rushed to the spot.

Prior to the crash, the BAF already operated nine K-8Ws, an intermediate jet trainer and light attack aircraft popular in developing countries, and placed an order last month for another 23 from China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC, part of the Chinese state corporation AVIC).