Air India Boeing 787 Crashes in Ahmedabad — Investigations Underway, Blame Game Flares

Ahmedabad, India | June 12, 2025 – A Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner, operating as Air India Flight AI‑171, crashed minutes after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. The London‑bound flight carried 242 people—169 Indians, 53 Britons, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian—along with 12 crew members and 2 pilots.

🔍 Crash Details & Casualties

• The aircraft lost contact at an altitude of just 625 ft, approximately one minute into its ascent 

• It came down onto a doctors’ hostel near B.J. Medical College in Meghani Nagar, triggering a massive explosion and thick black smoke

• At least 204 bodies have been recovered; ground casualties, including injured med-students, are still unconfirmed

• This marks the first fatal hull loss of a Boeing 787 since its 2011 debut.

🧭 On‑Site Response & Official Reactions

• Emergency crews, including seven fire engines, rapidly secured the area to begin rescue operations

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi, King Charles, Queen Camilla, UK PM Keir Starmer, and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed sorrow and solidarity

• Boeing stock dropped by over 5% following the crash.

🛠 Investigation & Technical Concerns

• The DGCA and U.S. NTSB have launched a joint probe; preliminary accounts suggest possible issues with landing gear or flap deployment.

• Aviation analysts noted irregularities such as the landing gear appearing deployed during climb, raising technical conditions concerns.

🎯 Fallout: Rising Tensions & the “Pakistan Factor”

Amid this tragedy, some voices in India are echoing accusations, accusing Pakistan of being behind the incident—mirroring past claims during the Pahalgam (April 22) and Pulwama attacks. In those episodes, Indian officials quickly attributed responsibility to Pakistan-backed groups.

📌 What Happened in Pahalgam & Pulwama?

• Pahalgam Attack (April 22, 2025): Extremists killed 26 civilians in Kashmir; subsequent Indian counter-strikes, labeled “Operation Sindoor,” targeted terrorist bases in Pakistan-administered areas. India accused Pakistani groups, though Pakistan denied involvement.

• Pulwama (2019): A suicide bombing killed 40 Indian paramilitary troops; India responded with airstrikes on Pakistani territory, leading to bilateral military escalation.

⚠️ Concerns Over Politicized Narratives

Experts underscore the strategic pattern: “information wars” often amplify attribution to Pakistan before independent investigations conclude. In today's context, prematurely linking the accident to foreign interference risks inflaming India–Pakistan relations already strained by repeated military and cross-border episodes.

🧩 Final Take

This disaster marks a devastating blow: the first fatal loss of Boeing’s flagship 787 and over 200 lives potentially lost. While emotions and geopolitical undercurrents intensify—with some calling Pakistan responsible—the outcome of thorough investigations will reveal the factual cause. Meanwhile, crisis communication from regional and global leaders emphasizes rescue, compassion, and safety reassurances.