Crew of Punjab chopper, crashed in Afghanistan, returns to Pakistan: reports
The six crew members of the Punjab government’s helicopter which crash landed in Afghanistan’s Logar province have been recovered and shifted to Pakistan safely, local media quoting sources reported on Thursday.
Six crew members including five Pakistani nationals and a Russian citizen were taken hostages by the Taliban.
Sources said the crew members were handed over to Pakistani authorities in Chitral.
The Punjab government’s Mi17 helicopter was en route to Russia for routine overhauling when it crash-landed in Logar on August 4.
Officials have yet to confirm return of the crew.
Earlier, the Foreign Office said on Thursday the Afghan government is involved in efforts to ensure safe recovery of the kidnapped crew of the crashed helicopter and has provided news on the crew’s condition.
“The Afghan government is in talks with the local tribal elders of the area where the Punjab government’s helicopter crash-landed with a Russian navigator and six Pakistanis on board,” said Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria.
“There has been a response [about the crew]. The crew is safe and they [Afghan government] are trying to involve the local elders of the area in the recovery process,” Zakaria said, and added, “All efforts to safely recover the crew are underway.”
http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/201...d-in-afghanistan-returns-to-pakistan-reports/
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6 crew members of Afghanistan helicopter crash reach Pakistan
6 Crew members, of the helicopter that crash landed in Afghanistan, has reached back to Pakistan, reported private media.
Last week the seven-member crew members of the Punjab government’s MI-17 helicopter became captive after it crash- landed in eastern Afghanistan have safely returned to Pakistan. The crew belongs to Punjab Government, 5 Pakistani people and 1 Russian person are onboard.
Earlier their life was feared as it they were hostage to Taliban who would have made the final decision about their fate.
The helicopter was on its way to Russia via Uzbekistan for its maintenance when it crashed in Azra district, in the restive Afghan province of Logar, a Pakistani official said.
http://nation.com.pk/national/11-Au...f-afghanistan-helicopter-crash-reach-pakistan
(Note: wrong Photo posted by The Nation of crashed helicopter.)