A Pakistani army helicopter has crashed in northern Pakistan killing several foreign diplomats, including the ambassadors of Norway and the Philippines.
The Pakistani Taliban immediately claimed credit for the attack, but the government of Pakistan has said a technical fault caused the accident.
Norway’s Ambassador Leif Larsen, Philippine Ambassador Domingo Lucenario and the wives of the ambassadors of Malaysia and Indonesia were killed when the plane crash landed in the Gilgit-Baltistan territory, whilst on their way to attend the opening of a tourism project. Other diplomats from Poland, Netherlands, South Africa, Lebanon and Romania were also reportedly on board.
“The government and people of Pakistan are deeply saddened over the tragic death of foreigners in the unfortunate incident and equally share the grief of the affected families,” Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain said in a statement.
The Pakistani Taliban claimed they used a shoulder launched anti-aircraft missile to bring down the aircraft, with spokesperson Muhammad Khurasani saying "(Pakistan's prime minister) Nawaz Sharif and his allies are our prime targets".
The Pakistani Taliban immediately claimed credit for the attack, but the government of Pakistan has said a technical fault caused the accident.
Norway’s Ambassador Leif Larsen, Philippine Ambassador Domingo Lucenario and the wives of the ambassadors of Malaysia and Indonesia were killed when the plane crash landed in the Gilgit-Baltistan territory, whilst on their way to attend the opening of a tourism project. Other diplomats from Poland, Netherlands, South Africa, Lebanon and Romania were also reportedly on board.
“The government and people of Pakistan are deeply saddened over the tragic death of foreigners in the unfortunate incident and equally share the grief of the affected families,” Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain said in a statement.
The Pakistani Taliban claimed they used a shoulder launched anti-aircraft missile to bring down the aircraft, with spokesperson Muhammad Khurasani saying "(Pakistan's prime minister) Nawaz Sharif and his allies are our prime targets".