Pilots among 9 killed as chopper shot down in Wardak

KABUL (Pajhwok): At least four pilots and five security personnel were killed when a helicopter was shot down by illegal gunmen in central Maidan Wardak province.

A security official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told Pajhwok Afghan News Defence Ministry’s special unit personnel were on board the helicopter that was carrying supplies to Hesa-i-Awal Behsud district.

He said the chopper was attacked by militiamen loyal to a local strongman named Alipur on shot down on Wednesday night. The attack resulted in the crash of the aircraft, killing four pilots and five personnel of the special unit.

According to a report from provincial security officials, the helicopter was carrying ammunition and food to Behsud district when it was shot down by Alipur’s militia at around 12:00 midnight.

The source added one more chopper also crashed while three others returned to Maidan City, the provincial capital.

Pajhwok has also received a list containing information and names of the five special unit personnel killed in the incident. The special unit is based in central Bamyan province.

Another source, wishing anonymity, told Pajhwok a pilot, who had landed his helicopter on the roof of the 400-bed hospital during a militant attack on the facility and rescued dozens of people, was among the dead.

Fawad Aman, spokesman for the Defence Ministry, confirmed the crash of the helicopter but did not provide details. He said an investigation into the crash was underway.

sa/mud

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