US denies Taliban shot down military plane in Afghanistan

Asia-Pacific, News, US October 2, 2015 , by IRIA No Comments

The United States’ military has denied that the Taliban were responsible for its plane crash in eastern Afghanistan on Friday morning.

The Taliban has taken credit for a US military transport plane crash in the city of Jalalabad, that killed six U.S. airmen and five civilians, but U.S. officials maintain that isn’t the case.

The Taliban issued a statement on Friday morning, saying they shot down the US Air Force C-130J transport plane.

In a tweet early Friday morning, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said, “Our mujahideen have shot down a four-engine US aircraft in Jalalabad.”

The tweet further stated, “Based on credible information 15 invading forces and a number of puppet troops were killed.”

US Air Force Maj. Tony Wickman said on Friday, “It is with high confidence that we can say it does not appear that enemy fire was involved.”

The US military has released few other details about the aircraft crash. Wickman said the military has launched an investigation into the cause of the accident.