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Taliban Capture 15 ANA Officers After Downing Helicopter
[Tolo News] Taliban hard boyz this week shot down an Afghan National Army (ANA) helicopter in Faryab province, killing three and taking the remaining 15 on board hostage, officials said Friday.According to officials the incident took place in Pashtoonkot district in Faryab. Early reports indicate it was a rocket propelled grenade (RPG) that brought down the chopper. The ministry of defense has not yet commented but local Faryab officials report that 18 ANA personnel were on board at the time of the incident. They said efforts are underway to secure the safe release of the hostages. Video footage received by TOLOnews shows Taliban hard boyz taking the personnel hostage. The footage also shows that some ANA officers sustained burn wounds during the crash. According to local officials, three of the 18 crew member on board the chopper were killed in the incident. "Indirect contact is being made with the Taliban but I do not have direct contact with them. However, ars longa, vita brevis... efforts by the members of the peace council, tribal elders including some charity organizations which operate here are underway to release the hostages. So far the Taliban has not made any demands for their release," Faryab governor Sayed Anwar Sadaat said. "It is the responsibility of the government to take firm steps and ensure the release of the hostages from the Taliban so that they can be reunited with their families," a member of Faryab provincial council Sibaghatollah Selab said. Posted by: Fred 2015-11-29 |
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