Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif called on Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and sought help in the safe recovery of the crew members of Punjab government’s helicopter that crash-landed in eastern Afghanistan on Thursday.
Director General Inter Services Public Relations Lt-Gen Asim Bajwa tweeted “The Afghan President has assured COAS of his government’s full support in this regard”
General Raheel Sharif and the Afghan President exchanged views on the Punjab government helicopter which had crash-landed in the Afghan province of Logar and the crew on-board which had been taken hostage. General Raheel Sharif asked for cooperation from Ghani, who assured the army chief of his help.
The Foreign Office stated that as soon as the helicopter entered Afghanistan’s airspace, communication was disrupted. Foreign Office also claimed that Afghanistan government has not confirmed anything yet regarding the helicopter.
According to the Foreign Office, the helicopter belonging to Punjab government flew for Russia on Thursday morning at 08: 45 am and after 10:00 am, all communication with the aircraft was cut off. After communication with the helicopter was cut off, the Afghan authorities were contacted yet they could not confirm anything regarding the incident.
The spokesperson for the Foreign Office said that Afghan authorities were informed regarding the helicopter’s route well in advance. The aircraft was headed off to Russia for repair work and it had to stop for refueling in Uzbekistan.
The Foreign Office confirmed that there were six passengers on-board with the pilot.
