ISTANBUL: A Turkish fighter jet crashed shortly after takeoff early Wednesday, killing the pilot, state media reported, citing the defense ministry. Radio and tracking information with the aircraft, which took off from Balikesir at 12:56 a.m. (2156 GMT Tuesday), was lost soon after departure, the ministry said according to the official Anadolu Agency. A search and rescue operation was launched and the wreckage was located. “Our pilot was martyred.

ISTANBUL: A Turkish fighter jet crashed shortly after takeoff early Wednesday, killing the pilot, state media reported, citing the defense ministry. Radio and tracking information…

The government paid tribute to the ‘heroic’ pilot as an investigation was launched