ISLAMABAD, Jan 27 (KUNA) -- Afghan Taliban rebels have claimed that they brought down the United States military aircraft that crashed in Taliban dominated central Afghanistan on Monday but the US military has denied the claim.
A spokesperson for US Forces in Afghanistan, Col. Sonny Leggett confirmed that an investigation is underway to determine what caused a US military aircraft to crash in Afghanistan's Ghazni province, adding that there is "no indication" the plane was downed by enemy fire.
"A U.S. Bombardier E-11A crashed today in Ghazni province, Afghanistan. While the cause of crash is under investigation, there are no indications the crash was caused by enemy fire. We will provide additional information as it becomes available," said the spokesperson.
"Taliban claims that additional aircraft have crashed are false," he added. The official could not add any further details.
"The plane which was on an intelligence mission, was brought down in Sado Khel area of Deh Yak district of Ghazni province," said Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesperson for the Taliban rebels in a statement.
The spokesperson claimed that the crew on board included high ranking US officers without giving details how the fighters brought down the plane. It is still not clear how many people were on board but Ghazni Provincial government spokesman Arif Noori in a statement to media said that the bodies of two pilots were found at the crash site and that the plane was completely destroyed.
The Afghan officials confirmed that the aircraft crashed in Deh Yak district in Ghazni which is largely controlled by the Taliban rebels and lies to the southwest of the Afghan capital of Kabul. Afghan Ministry of Defense said a convoy of Afghan Special Forces is on its way to Deh Yak district from Ghazni city. (pickup previous) sbk.sd