Pakistan, Tehreek -e-Taliban have released a second statement referring to their earlier claim alleging the shooting down of a helicopter in Gilgit in an attempt to target Prime Minister Narwaz Sharif. (He was travelling in a different helicopter to the one targeted and remains unharmed). There were several fatalities and injuries in the incident, including visiting foreign dignitaries and pilots. Director-General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major-General Asim Bajwal described the incident as being due to “developed tech fault during landing” denying TTP claims. Full story can be read on the following link,
“Pakistan Taliban: TTP allege attempt on life of PM Nawaz Sharif, claim he escaped as travelling in 2nd helicopter”
TTP 2nd statement on helicopter incident
“After the praise worthy and successful downing of the helicopter, the enemy is once again started turned to telling lies and giving laughable arguments. We will provide the evidence and and facts that are with us. We are not like ISPR and Sheikh Roahail Asghar who cannot provide evidence for their statements.
1. We have for this event the training video of SAM-7 missiles which was conducted in Gilgit also. This training was given by an engineer of TEC. And this was sent to us just 12 hours before the start of this mission we shall promote it in one or two days Inshahallah. And we shall broadcast it.
2. If it was an accident why did Nawaz Sharif run back. Was it right for him to leave his distinguished guest in such a state?
3. Isn’t our activities well planned in Gilgit from previously. The media has record of this with them.
4. For security reasons we gave instructions to our fellows to erase the video containing the footage of the firing so that they remain safe. And whatever reason there is for the danger of their arrest is gone.
5. A few months back at a special place, we attacked a jet plane F-16 and brought it down, the video of which we have already broadcast (see link section re F16 alleged incident) and we will in future at appropriate time target planes. Inshahallah.”
Mohammad Khorasan
Spokesperson TTP
End
Link
“Taliban funeral, alleged F16 shootdown and Jamaat-ul-Ahrar call to jihad”
Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad. She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.
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