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25 fatalities

Aircraft on Kabul-Khost Route Shot Down by Pakistani Fighter

Parachinar, PakistanFlight

On December 10, 1988, an Antonov AN-26 operated by Ariana Afghan Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Parachinar, Pakistan in flight. 25 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Shot down by the pilot of a Pakistan Air Force fighter. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 7 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft en route from Kabul to Khost entered Pakistan airspace without permission and was shot down by a Pakistan Air Force fighter with an air-air missile. The aircraft crashed on a mountain slope near Parachinar; all 25 occupants died.

Incident Overview

An aircraft traveling from Kabul to Khost deviated from its intended route, apparently becoming lost. The aircraft subsequently entered Pakistani airspace without prior authorization. A Pakistan Air Force fighter pilot engaged the aircraft with an air-to-air missile, causing it to enter a dive and crash on the slope of a mountain in the region of Parachinar.

Casualties

All 25 occupants on board the aircraft were killed in the crash.

Official Findings

The probable cause, as stated in the official investigation, is that the aircraft was shot down by the pilot of a Pakistan Air Force fighter.

Midair collision

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 10 Dec 1988 Antonov AN-26 accident near Parachinar, Pakistan?

An aircraft en route from Kabul to Khost entered Pakistan airspace without permission and was shot down by a Pakistan Air Force fighter with an air-air missile. The aircraft crashed on a mountain slope near Parachinar; all 25 occupants died.

Were there any fatalities in the 10 Dec 1988 Antonov AN-26 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 25 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 10 Dec 1988 involved an Antonov AN-26, operated by Ariana Afghan Airlines, at Parachinar, Pakistan.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Shot down by the pilot of a Pakistan Air Force fighter.

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