No reason to doubt army’s version of Gilgit crash: US

US State Department backs army's claim that helicopter crashed due to a technical fault

Ruling out speculations that the motive behind the Gilgit crash was terror-related, the United States State Department on Friday backed the army's claim that the helicopter crashed due to a technical fault.

Read: Norway, Philippines ambassadors among 8 killed in Gilgit helicopter crash

“On the question of what happened, I believe the Pakistani air force has already said something about this. They described it as a technical fault that they believe was responsible,” State Department spokesman Jeff Rathke said at a press briefing in Washington.

“We don’t have reason to doubt what they’ve said.”

The State Department extended their condolences to the families of the victims.

Read: Civil-military leadership receive bodies of Gilgit crash victims at Nur Khan airbase

“Our thoughts are with the diplomatic community in Pakistan. I’d also highlight no American embassy personnel or US citizens were affected,” Rathke said.

Addressing the involvement of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in the crash, Rathke stood firm on his stance that the US had no doubts about the army’s statements.

“We have no reason to doubt what the Pakistani authorities have said. But of course, it’s just happened so they’re investigating,” he said.