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Small Plane Crashes in Pakistan, Killing At Least 12

Associated Press

   RAWALPINDI, PAKISTAN - A small Pakistani military plane crashed into a
   residential area near the garrison city of Rawalpindi before dawn
   Tuesday, killing at least 12 people, including two pilots, officials
   said.

   In a statement, the military said five soldiers were among those killed
   in the plane crash. Rescue officials said the death toll could rise
   further since there are injured in critical condition.

   The military gave no details about the cause of the crash and only said
   an army aviation aircraft was on a routine training flight when the
   plane went down in the village of Mora Kalu on outskirts of Rawalpindi.
   TV footage showed fire erupting in the residential area.

   Farooq Butt, an official at the state-run emergency service called
   1122, said at least 12 people, including soldiers died in the crash and
   that authorities had declared an emergency in hospitals. He said about
   20 people were injured in the plane crash.

   Butt said a rescue operation was still ongoing. An AP reporter at scene
   of the crash saw a burning house and some makeshift homes.

   Rescue officials say the plane suddenly lost control with the tower and
   reason for the incident was not known.