ISLAMABAD: Taliban sources confirmed on Friday that all crew members of crashed Punjab government helicopter were in their custody.
Taliban sources said, “All crew members, including a Russian national, are in the custody of the Taliban commanders in their controlled areas in Logar.” The statement added that they all were safe and a final decision would be taken by the leadership.
Earlier on Friday, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani instructed the security forces to recover the crew members of Punjab government’s helicopter which crash-landed in eastern Afghanistan on Thursday, his special envoy for Pakistan Ambassador Omar Zakhilwal said.
Six people on board were taken hostage by the Taliban as the helicopter went down in Azra district.Officials said that the helicopter belonged to Punjab and was heading to Russia for overhaul. “All crew members are safe,” ambassador Zakilwal reaffirmed.
He said, “The President has been in the loop form the outset and has instructed the Governor of Logar as well as our security forces to assist in recovering of the hostages. I do believe there will be a peaceful ending to this.”
The ambassador said that the helicopter either caught fire after the crash-landing or was damaged beyond repair. He added, “The Taliban have taken the crew to Wach Lagad area after the helicopter went down at a place called Matrai.”Afghan sources also confirmed that the chopper had the needed over-flight permission to fly to Uzbekistan over Afghanistan.
Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said on Friday that efforts were underway to get information about the incident. Earlier, Inter-Services Public Relations(ISPR) Director General LtGeneral Asim Bajwa said that Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif called Resolute Support Mission’s CommanderGeneral John Nicholson, hours after the helicopter made the crash landing.
DG ISPR tweeted, “COAS called Gen Nicholson, Commander RSM in Afghanistan, asked him to help in recovery of crew of Punjab government helicopter that crash-landed in Logar province.” He added that GeneralNicholson had assured General Raheel of all possible help in this regard.
He also said that the Afghan government and Afghan National Army (ANA) authorities had also been contacted for their assistance in recovering the crew members.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Friday that his government is using formal and informal channels to bring back the seven crew members captured by Taliban.
The Pakistani government helicopter, en route to Russia for a routine overhaul, crash-landed in the Taliban-held Logar province in eastern Afghanistan on Thursday. Pakistan’s Army Chief General Raheel Sharif called Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Friday to request his country’s help.
“President Ashraf Ghani assured all possible assistance in this regard,” tweeted Pakistan military’s Spokesman General Asim Bajwa on Friday.
Lawlessness has increased in Logar province in the past two years as the launch of a military operation in Pakistani tribal areas pushed many Taliban and allied fighters back into Afghanistan.
On Friday, a senior Afghan Taliban commander, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the passengers – six Pakistanis and a Russian technician – were in their custody and that negotiations for their release were on-going. He said the seven captured were in safe hands with the insurgents.
“They are being looked after, being provided tea, food, everything,” he said. “We are in touch with the Pakistani officials. We conveyed to them that they are in safe hands.” He added that it was no use seeking help from the Afghan government or the US military because ‘Taliban fully controls the district’.
“Efforts are in top gear for early recovery of the crew and pilots of the chopper. Prayers for my dear friends’ safe return,” said Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, whose government operates the helicopter.
“The aircraft had permission to fly over Afghan air space on its way to Uzbekistan further north,” said Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nafees Zakaria on Thursday.
General Raheel Sharif had previously contacted top US Commander in Afghanistan General John Nicholson asking for his international military coalition’s help in recovering the crew, Bajwa said on Thursday.
