The Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka has reported the highest number of casualties, with 14 deaths and 27 injuries, according to data released by the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate early Tuesday. 

The crashed F-7 is an export version of the J-7, which was in mass production into the 1980s. Manufacturing of the J-7 ended in the 2010s, and although the People’s Liberation Army Air Force retired J-7s from service in 2023, some international users remain. 

Bangladesh purchased 57 F-7 jets from China between 1989 and 2011, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. That puts it as the fourth biggest buyer of the Chinese jets historically. 

Chinese aircraft have been in the spotlight this year. One of the manufacturers of the J-7, AVIC Chengdu Aircraft Co., also produced the J-10Cs that Pakistan said it used to shoot down Indian jets in May. A research group under India’s Defense Ministry also said Beijing helped Pakistan reorganize its air defense network and satellite coverage during the clash. 

In a separate statement issued Tuesday, the interim government led by Yunus dismissed what it called “propaganda” alleging a cover-up of casualty figures.

“We are observing with concern that propaganda is being spread from various quarters claiming that information about the casualties is being concealed,” Yunus’s office said. “We want to state very firmly that this claim is not correct.” A multi-agency effort involving the interim government, armed forces, and school and hospital authorities is underway to verify and publish a complete list of the dead and injured, according to the statement.

Officials are using DNA testing to identify victims who cannot be recognized.