Bangladesh, July 21 -- The pilot of the military jet that crashed in Dhaka, killing 19 people, including students, made an "all-out effort" to minimise damage, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

As part of a routine training exercise, an F-7 BGI fighter jet took off from the Bangladesh Air Force Base Bir Uttam AK Khandker in Kurmitola at 1:06pm on Monday, the agency said. The aircraft, shortly after takeoff, experienced a mechanical malfunction.

Flight Lieutenant Towkir Islam made an "all-out effort" to steer the jet away from a densely populated area, to avoid a major disaster. The aircraft tragically crashed into a two-storey building of Milestone School and College in Dhaka's Diabari.

The crash at least left 19...