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Afghan Soldiers and Foreigners Captured After Landing in Taliban-Held Area Afghan Soldiers and Foreigners Captured After Landing in Taliban-Held Area
(about 4 hours later)
KABUL, Afghanistan — The Taliban captured at least 13 Afghan soldiers and two foreigners after their aircraft made an emergency landing in the northern Afghan province of Faryab on Tuesday, officials said. KABUL, Afghanistan — The Taliban captured at least 13 Afghan soldiers and two foreigners after their aircraft made an emergency landing in the northern Afghan province of Faryab on Tuesday, officials said.
Details of the episode, including the nationalities of the two foreigners, remained unclear. At least three Afghan soldiers were killed in a firefight after the landing, in the Taliban-controlled area of Ghar Tepa, according to local officials.Details of the episode, including the nationalities of the two foreigners, remained unclear. At least three Afghan soldiers were killed in a firefight after the landing, in the Taliban-controlled area of Ghar Tepa, according to local officials.
In a social media post, the Taliban claimed that two American soldiers were among those captured. But American officials said there were no American citizens aboard the aircraft. Officials said that they were looking into the possibility that an American company was operating the aircraft under contract with the Afghan Army but that they could not confirm whether that was the case. In a social media post, the Taliban claimed that two American soldiers were among those captured. But American officials said there were no Americans aboard the aircraft. Officials said that they were looking into the possibility that an American company was operating the aircraft under contract with the Afghan Army.
Col. Michael T. Lawhorn, a spokesman for United States forces in Afghanistan, said that although he was aware of reports of an aircraft crash, “we have no reports at this time of any Americans being on board.”Col. Michael T. Lawhorn, a spokesman for United States forces in Afghanistan, said that although he was aware of reports of an aircraft crash, “we have no reports at this time of any Americans being on board.”
Naqibullah Fayeq, a member of Parliament from Faryab, said the aircraft was carrying army engineers to the province. Mr. Fayeq had traveled to Faryab as part of a delegation to introduce the new provincial governor to his job.Naqibullah Fayeq, a member of Parliament from Faryab, said the aircraft was carrying army engineers to the province. Mr. Fayeq had traveled to Faryab as part of a delegation to introduce the new provincial governor to his job.
“They were flying so low that they were shot at, and no one was hurt in the emergency landing,” Mr. Fayeq said. “They had enough ammunition to resist for an hour after the landing and were then overpowered by Taliban.” “They were flying so low that they were shot at, and no one was hurt in the emergency landing,” Mr. Fayeq said. “They had enough ammunition to resist for an hour after the landing and were then overpowered by the Taliban.”
Maj. Mohammad Reza Rezai, an Afghan Army spokesman, said the aircraft was an Mi-17 transport helicopter and confirmed that it had made an emergency landing in the Ghar Tepa area about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday. Maj. Mohammad Reza Rezai, an Afghan National Army spokesman, said the aircraft was an Mi-17 transport helicopter and confirmed that it had made an emergency landing in the Ghar Tepa area about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.
“The area is completely under Taliban control,” Mr. Rezai said, adding that an operation was started to try to rescue the hostages. “The area is completely under Taliban control,” Mr. Rezai said, adding that an operation has begun to try to rescue the hostages.
Faryab has faced an intense offensive this year by the Taliban, who are contesting several districts in the province. The severity of the threat had drawn one of Afghanistan’s vice presidents, Abdul Rashid Dostum, back to his home territory for a monthlong clearance operation. After Mr. Dostum returned to Kabul, the insurgents, emboldened by their capture of the city of Kunduz, made a run for Faryab’s capital, Maimana, only to be repelled by local militias and American airstrikes. Faryab has faced an intense offensive this year by the Taliban, who are contesting several districts in the province. The severity of the threat had drawn one of Afghanistan’s vice presidents, Abdul Rashid Dostum , back to his home territory for a monthlong clearance operation. After Mr. Dostum returned to Kabul, the insurgents, emboldened by their capture of the city of Kunduz, made a run for Faryab’s capital, Maimana, only to be repelled by local militias and American airstrikes.
With the Taliban choking many of the country’s major highways, transport flights have taken on an increased importance in the war. The reliance has resulted in a spate of fatal air accidents in recent months, the deadliest occurring in August, when an Afghan Army helicopter crashed in Zabul Province, killing all 17 aboard. With the Taliban choking many of the country’s major highways, transport flights have taken on an increased importance in the war. The reliance has resulted in a spate of fatal air accidents in recent months, the deadliest occurring in August, when an Afghan National Army helicopter crashed in Zabul Province, killing all 17 aboard.