Singer-turned-evangelist Junaid Jamshed was on board Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight PK-661, which crashed in the mountainous north of the country on Wednesday.
The airline said the PIA's ATR-42 aircraft lost contact with a control tower on its way from Chitral.
PIA spokesperson Daniyal Gilani earlier said the aircraft was missing and efforts to locate it were on. "We regret to inform that PIA's ATR-42 aircraft operating as PK-661, carrying around 40 persons, lost its contact with the control tower on its way from Chitral to Islamabad," Gilani said.
"All of the bodies are burned beyond recognition. The debris is scattered," Taj Muhammad Khan, a government official based in the Havelian region, told media.
Khan, who was at the site of the crash, added that witnesses told him "the aircraft has crashed in a mountainous area, and before it hit the ground it was on fire."
Junaid Jamshed’s brother reportedly confirmed that he, along with his wife Ayesha Junaid and daughter were on board the plane, both confirmed dead.
According to his official twitter account, Junaid Jamshed was in Chitral for a Tableeghi mission and was returning to Islamabad when the aircraft crashed. He was scheduled to deliver the Friday sermon at Parliament mosque.
In his last tweet, Jamshed posted pictures of a snow-capped mountain, calling Chitral "Heaven on Earth".
Heaven on Earth Chitral.
— Junaid Jamshed (@JunaidJamshedPK) December 4, 2016
With my friends in the Path of Allah . Snowpacked Tirchmir right behind us pic.twitter.com/ZajcWEKlrG
Jamshed was a prominent member of Pakistan's Tableeghi Jamaat, a global Islamic revivalist movement with an aim to urge Muslims to return to primary Sunni Islam.
Jamshed rocketed to fame in Pakistan in the 1980s and 1990s as the singer for the Vital Signs rock group, and later launched a solo career, with a string of chart-topping albums and hits.
Social media reacted to the news with horror:
My heart goes out to the families whose loved ones were lost. May Allah make it easy. Let's say Fatiha for all & sp Junaid Jamshed bhai RIP
— Shoaib Malik (@realshoaibmalik) December 7, 2016
Such a huge loss, absolutely in shock #PK661 #JunaidJamshed
— HUMAIMA MALICK (@HumaimaMalick) December 7, 2016
why did you leave me without saying goodbye @JunaidJamshedPK To God we belong & to Him shall we return...#JaanJaanPakistan
— salman ahmad (@sufisal) December 7, 2016
I am deeply saddened @ the loss of precious lives in plane crash 2day incl Junaid Jamshed. My prayrs 4 the families. Allah bless their souls
— Mohammad Sarwar (@ChMSarwar) December 7, 2016
Junaid Jamshed - the man who voiced a nation's anthem that stood on the shoulders of Pak Sarzameen
— Fasi Zaka (@fasi_zaka) December 7, 2016
Junaid Jamshed has left us in the most devastating way. Shocked and heartbroken. #PIAcrash
— Quratulain Balouch (@Quratulainb) December 7, 2016
My heart is drowning in sadness to learn about the air crash of Pia.. news feared my friends Junaid Jamshed and alay Akram was in it 2..
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) December 7, 2016
It is confirmed that my friend & neighbour Junaid Jamshed was indeed on the unfortunate flight. Allah have mercy. #PIA
— Fakhr-e-Alam (@falamb3) December 7, 2016
Close friends of Junaid Jamshed saying he along with his wife was also traveling on PIA plane crashed coming from Chitral to Islamabad
— Hamid Mir (@HamidMirGEO) December 7, 2016
More than anything Junaid Jamshed was an intense Pakistani, recently called to say that he wants to commit himself to clean Karachi campaign
— Kamran Khan (@AajKamranKhan) December 7, 2016
Saddened at the loss of Islamic scholar
— Naz Baloch (@NazBalochPTI) December 7, 2016
Junaid Jamshed, who inspired millions of ppl in the world, a great believer of humanity & kindness.
Junaid Jamshed will be remembered in different ways by different people. For me it was his music with Vital Signs and beyond. Tragic loss.
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) December 7, 2016
Lost a very Dear friend and a wonderful friend Junaid Jamshed.May Allah bless his soul.And all others.Ameen https://t.co/tDgcwtWpmf
— Dr Shahid Masood (@Shahidmasooddr) December 7, 2016
Eidhi Sahab, Amjad Sabri and now Junaid Jamshed .... 2016 hasn't been easy.
— Arslan Naseer (@ComicsByArslan) December 7, 2016
May Allah bless all who lost their lives today, Ameen #PK661