A Bakhtar Afghan Airlines Antonov An-26 was shot down by a missile near Khost, Afghanistan, resulting in 53 fatalities out of the 55 people on board.

These insurgents were using surface-to-air missiles supplied by international supporters, including the United States as part of their efforts to combat Soviet and Afghan government forces during the Soviet–Afghan War.

[1] Bakhtar Afghan Airlines, the national carrier of Afghanistan, operated domestic flights across the country, often over conflict zones.

It can carry up to 40 passengers or 5,500 kg of cargo and features a rear ramp door for quick loading and unloading.

[2] The attack was part of the ongoing conflict during the Soviet–Afghan War, where insurgent groups frequently targeted aircraft, mistaking them for military transports.