Crashed Pakistani helicopter has been transported to Kabul from Logar province in eastern Afghanistan, Afgan media reported on Sunday.
The Punjab government’s helicopter, on its way to Russia for a routine overhaul, had crash-landed in Logar .
The chopper is expected to be handed over to Pakistan through the Torkham border crossing earlier today.
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“Formal and informal channels are being used to ensure safe recovery of the entire crew,” Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said in a statement from his office.
“We have launched an investigation into the incident and the government has instructed security forces to spare no efforts to secure the release of crew members,” the Afghan defence ministry said in a statement.
The update of the passengers on board the aircraft was still unclear, but a Taliban commander claimed the seven were “in safe hands” with the militants.
Read more: Punjab govt’s helicopter crash lands in Afghanistan, seven held hostage
A senior Afghan Taliban commander, talking on condition of anonymity, told a foreign news agency that the passengers — six Pakistanis and a Russian technician — were in their custody and that negotiations for their release were ongoing. “They are being looked after, being provided tea, food, everything,” he said. “We are in touch with the Pakistani officials. We conveyed to them that they are in safe hands.”
He added that it was of no use to seek help from the Afghan government or the US military because the Taliban were in full control of the district.
