Pakistan Navy Launches Rescue Operation After K2 Airways Cargo Plane Goes Missing Near Karachi

KARACHI - A major search and rescue operation is underway off the coast of Karachi after a K2 Airways cargo Boeing 737-400 lost radar and radio contact late Tuesday night, with the Pakistan Navy quickly dispatching PNS Zulfiqar to lead the maritime effort .

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Pakistan Navy launches rescue operation after a K2 Airways Cargo Boeing 737-400 lost radar contact near Karachi.

PNS Zulfiqar has been diverted to the area, with efforts underway to ensure the safe recovery of the crew.

Pakistan Navy, the region's maritime guardian. pic.twitter.com/t4QOY5WMpi

- Zard si Gana (@ZardSi) July 7, 2026

The cargo aircraft, operating flight TA1732 from Sharjah to Karachi, reported a navigational system malfunction at approximately 9:18 PM PST. The Karachi Area Control Centre immediately provided emergency guidance, but within three minutes-at 9:21 PM-the aircraft was observed on radar rapidly descending and making a sudden change in heading before vanishing from screens approximately 155 nautical miles west of Karachi .

Multi-Agency Search Operation

In response, Pakistan's Rescue Coordination Centre was immediately activated, triggering a large-scale joint military and civilian search operation . Alongside PNS Zulfiqar, the Pakistan Navy has deployed additional vessels, while a Pakistan Navy ATR aircraft has taken off from Turbat to conduct aerial sweeps. The Pakistan Air Force has also joined the mission with a SAAB surveillance aircraft .

Furthermore, the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation has diverted its commercial vessel, Lahore, to assist in the maritime search, bringing together military and civilian resources in the hunt for the missing plane .

Five Crew Members On Board

Authorities have confirmed that all five crew members on board are Pakistani nationals . They have been identified as Captain Muhammad Rizwan Idris, First Officer Faisal Jatoi, engineers Muhammad Hamid and Muhammad Arif Siddiqui, and loadmaster Muhammad Taufiq Khan .

K2 Airways has confirmed it is "fully cooperating with the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority and other government agencies" and has stated it "continue[s] to pray, earnestly, for the safety of our colleagues" .

Pakistan Navy: The Region's Maritime Guardian

The swift response once again highlights the Pakistan Navy's role as the region's primary maritime guardian and first responder . With a documented history of humanitarian operations-from rescuing crews from burning vessels to evacuating civilians from conflict zones-the Navy has consistently demonstrated its commitment to safeguarding life at sea .

Earlier this year, Exercise SEA GUARD 2026 included extensive search and rescue scenarios to maintain preparedness for such emergencies . The Navy's ability to rapidly deploy assets in the aftermath of the disappearance reflects this ongoing operational readiness.