PIA plane 'crashes' with 47 aboard, rescue ops underway (Update)

An Islamabad-bound Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight with 47 passengers on board crashed near Abbottabad on Wednesday.

The DPO of Abbottabad confirmed that the aircraft crashed near Havelian between Majab and Piplian, reports the Express Tribune.

Meanwhile, military's media wing ISPR said the army dispatched troops and helicopters to the crash site for rescue efforts.

PK-661 departed from Chitral at 3:30 p.m. and disappeared from the air control radar soon after takeoff.

"We regret to inform that PIA's ATR-42 aircraft operating as PK-661, carrying around 40 persons lost its contact with control tower on its way from Chitral to Islamabad a short while ago. All resources are being mobilised to locate the aircraft. Media will be kept informed as situation develops," PIA spokesperson Danial Gilani said in a statement.

"PIA's emergency response center has been activated and can be accessed at following phone numbers for updates: 0092-21-99044890, 0092-21-99044376 and 0092-21-99044394," he added.