MoI helicopter makes emergency landing in Logar

PUL-I-ALAM (Pajhwok): An Interior Ministry helicopter made an emergency landing in the Baraki Barak district of central Logar province, officials said on Wednesday, but the Taliban claimed downing it.

Mohammad Rahim Amin, the district’s administrative chief, told Pajhwok Afghan News the helicopter of the Ministry of Interior’s 303^rd unit made an emergency landing in Khosh Mazar area on Tuesday night.

“A number of security personnel disembarked from helicopter before it took off. Immediately after takeoff, the chopper made a hard landing due to technical problems,” he said, adding no one was hurt.

He said the helicopter was still in the area and rescuers had arrived at the site to help the crew.

Azizuddin, a tribal elder from Shah Mazar area, claimed the helicopter landed close to his house at around 11pm last night. A heavy clash is still underway between the Taliban and security forces, he said, adding the militants did not allow the helicopter to fly.

A Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, claimed the helicopter was shot down by the movement’s fighters.He also confirmed a large number of security personnel had suffered casualties in the ongoing clash.

Baraki Barak, one of the unstable districts of Logar, is located 20 kilometers south of Pul-i-Alam — the provincial capital.

mds/mud

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