Pak. denies copter crash

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, NOV. 6. Amid reports that a U.S. helicopter engaged in operations in Afghanistan had crashed in Baluchistan, there was a daring attempt to attack the Quetta international airport early this morning.

However, Pakistan denied reports of the copter crash on its territory. The Press Secretary to the Pakistan President, Maj. Gen. Rashid Quereshi, said they had no information on any such incident.

At the same time, he said a team was being dispatched to the reported crash site. At least two international television channels, quoting officials in Baluchistan, asserted that a U.S. copter had crashed though the circumstances under which it came down were not known.

The Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press reported that a U.S. helicopter involved in air strikes on Afghanistan had crashed in the remote Aminabad area on Sunday night. Aminabad is about 32 km. from Dalbandin, one of three towns whose airfield has been in use by American forces for logistical purposes and search and rescue missions.

Reports from Quetta said that a guard at the international airport was killed early this morning when unidentified persons opened fire and tried to attack the airport. Local media reports said over 8,000 armed activists of the Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat- e-Muhammadi (TNSM) had arrived in Afghanistan to fight a jehad against the American forces.

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