New Delhi, July 22 -- A Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) combat jet crashed into a bustling school in Dhaka on Monday, leaving at least 25 dead - including the pilot - and injuring over 170 others, in a chilling reminder of the risks posed by ageing military hardware. The horrific crash, now deemed one of Bangladesh's worst aerial disasters in recent history, has once again placed the spotlight firmly on China-made fighter jets, particularly the controversial Chengdu F-7 series.

On Monday afternoon, an F-7 BGI fighter jet of the Bangladesh Air Force crashed directly onto the campus of Milestone School & College in Dhaka's Uttara locality - a packed educational institution in the midst of regular classes.

The pilot, Flight Lieutenant Towkir Is...