Afghan Taliban formally claim capturing ‘invading army’ helicopter
Taliban insurgents seize nine alleged American military officers as civilian helicopter makes an emergency landing.
A spokesman confirmed it was a civilian helicopter and not part of ISAF. PHOTO: FILE
PULI ALAM:
Afghan Taliban Monday formally claimed responsibility for capturing a helicopter ‘linked to the American and Nato’ and 11 passengers on-board.
Afghan officials earlier said that the ‘civilian’ helicopter made an emergency landing in Logar province due to bad weather.
Taliban captured five foreign nationals and four Afghans who were travelling in a helicopter in Azra District of Logar Province, the Afghan media quoted the head of the Logar Provincial Council.
Taliban claimed responsibility and also said that the helicopter belongs to the American army.
“As the American army helicopters made an emergency landing in Azra district of Logar province yesterday, the Mujahideen quickly surrounded it and took its control and captured 11 passengers on-board,” a Taliban statement said. The Pashto-language statement was also sent to The Express Tribune.
“The Mujahideen burnt and destroyed the helicopter last night,” the statement said.
Besides two Afghan interpreters, all others on-board were American military officers who were detained, the statement issued by the Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said.
“They have now been transferred to the secure and safe area,” the statement further said.
Taliban provided details regarding the movement of the helicopter, stating that preliminary investigation suggests it flew from eastern Khost province, bordering Pakistan, and was heading to Bagram airbase when it developed some technical fault.
“The foreign forces, by disassociating themselves from the helicopter, are trying to make the detainees sound as civilians but denial will not benefit them. All detainees were captured while wearing American military uniforms,” the Taliban stated.
The head of the Logar Provincial Council, Abdol Wali Wakil, earlier told the Afghan media on Monday, that the helicopter was carrying Turkish and Afghan nationals.
The ISAF forces’ press office in Kabul admitted that one civilian helicopter had made landing in Afghanistan and ISAF started efforts to get the aircraft.
Meanwhile Police Chief in Logar, Sadiq Khan, said that bad weather forced the helicopter to make emergency landing late Sunday.
He said Taliban surrounded the area where the helicopter made emergency landing in Mangal valley in Azra district, which is outside the control of government forces. Police chief also assured that government officials are seeking help from the tribal leaders to get the detainees released.
Afghan Taliban Monday formally claimed responsibility for capturing a helicopter ‘linked to the American and Nato’ and 11 passengers on-board.
Afghan officials earlier said that the ‘civilian’ helicopter made an emergency landing in Logar province due to bad weather.
Taliban captured five foreign nationals and four Afghans who were travelling in a helicopter in Azra District of Logar Province, the Afghan media quoted the head of the Logar Provincial Council.
Taliban claimed responsibility and also said that the helicopter belongs to the American army.
“As the American army helicopters made an emergency landing in Azra district of Logar province yesterday, the Mujahideen quickly surrounded it and took its control and captured 11 passengers on-board,” a Taliban statement said. The Pashto-language statement was also sent to The Express Tribune.
“The Mujahideen burnt and destroyed the helicopter last night,” the statement said.
Besides two Afghan interpreters, all others on-board were American military officers who were detained, the statement issued by the Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said.
“They have now been transferred to the secure and safe area,” the statement further said.
Taliban provided details regarding the movement of the helicopter, stating that preliminary investigation suggests it flew from eastern Khost province, bordering Pakistan, and was heading to Bagram airbase when it developed some technical fault.
“The foreign forces, by disassociating themselves from the helicopter, are trying to make the detainees sound as civilians but denial will not benefit them. All detainees were captured while wearing American military uniforms,” the Taliban stated.
The head of the Logar Provincial Council, Abdol Wali Wakil, earlier told the Afghan media on Monday, that the helicopter was carrying Turkish and Afghan nationals.
The ISAF forces’ press office in Kabul admitted that one civilian helicopter had made landing in Afghanistan and ISAF started efforts to get the aircraft.
Meanwhile Police Chief in Logar, Sadiq Khan, said that bad weather forced the helicopter to make emergency landing late Sunday.
He said Taliban surrounded the area where the helicopter made emergency landing in Mangal valley in Azra district, which is outside the control of government forces. Police chief also assured that government officials are seeking help from the tribal leaders to get the detainees released.