KABUL: Tragedy struck on Sunday as an Afghan military helicopter crashed in northern Afghanistan, resulting in the death of two Afghan pilots, according to the country’s defense ministry.
The helicopter, an MD-530 of the Afghan air force, was on its way from Mazar-e-Sharif airfield to Samangan when it collided with an electricity pylon, as announced by the defense minister on Twitter.
چې په نتيجه کې د دغې الوتکې دوه تنه پيلوټان شهيدان شول.
ملي دفاع وزارت د پېښې د څېړلو ترڅنګ، د دغې حادثې شهیدانو ته د فردوس جنت او د هغوی کورنیو ته د الله ج له دربار څخه د صبر جمیل هيله کوي.#د_ملي_دفاع_وزارت
— د ملي دفاع وزارت – وزارت دفاع ملی (@MoDAfghanistan2) May 21, 2023
This incident follows a similar helicopter crash in Kabul in September, where a Black Hawk helicopter, commandeered by the Taliban government after the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan, crashed during a training session, claiming the lives of two pilots and a crew member.
During the US withdrawal in 2021, significant amounts of military equipment, including aircraft, vehicles, weapons, and other hardware, were left behind by the US military. However, the US reported that much of the abandoned equipment had been rendered inoperable.
Helicopters operations in Afghanistan
Additionally, some helicopters were flown by former Afghan government forces to Central Asian countries before the Taliban regained full control of Afghanistan.
Under the Taliban’s rule, the authorities have managed to repair and restore certain aircraft, including helicopters, which are now believed to be operated by pilots from the former Afghan government forces.
The regime showcased its repaired equipment during a military parade on August 31 last year, commemorating the first anniversary of its return to power.
The loss of two pilots in the recent helicopter crash highlights the ongoing risks faced by the Afghan military and the challenges involved in maintaining and operating the country’s fleet of aircraft.
As Afghanistan continues to navigate its post-war landscape, efforts to ensure the safety and proper maintenance of military equipment remain crucial for stability and security.
