Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Idea Of The Day -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: IQBAL LATIF who wrote (41112)	10/20/2001 6:52:36 PM
From: IQBAL LATIF	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 50167

A US army helicopter, which was engaged in search and rescue mission, crashed on Saturday near Dalbandin airport, killing two US soldiers on board, sources said. The sources said five people were on board when the US army helicopter caught fire while landing at around 6:40 am. Two military men died on the spot due to suffocation and fire, while others sustained multiple injuries. Confirming the incident, Pentagon in its statement said: "Two US soldiers were killed on Saturday in Pakistan due to helicopter crash." However, the officials of the Balochistan government and Dalbandin administration were tight lipped when asked about the incident. After the incident, fire fighters and rescuers rushed to the scene and started rescue operation. The cause behind the incident is stated to be some technical fault developed in the chopper. Another source said soon after the incident, the US army men reached the spot and retrieved the bodies and shifted the wreckage of the US helicopter to Panjgur. The bodies of the deceased were dispatched to Pasni by a chopper, sources said. Despite the fact that the Pakistani authorities confirmed the incident, the Civil Aviation Authority officials in Quetta and Dalbandin denied the crash reports. Reports reaching here from Chaghai district of Balochistan said that heavy contingents of Army had cordoned off about 10 kilometres area around the Dalbandin airport. Whereas, the Frontier Corps (FC), police, Balochistan Reserve Police and Levies have been patrolling in the city since morning. AFP adds: Pakistani military sources told AFP on Saturday. The sources would not say if the helicopter was on its way to or from Afghanistan when it came down, killing two US military personnel and injuring an unknown number of people. A senior military official said the crash had been an accident. "It was an accidental happening," the official said. "It is not the result of any sabotage activity. "The helicopter was involved in a search and rescue operation as part of the logistical support Pakistan is providing (for the US military campaign)."