October 21, 2001	Sunday	Shaba'an 3, 1422

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QUETTA, Oct 20: Two American troops were killed and another three injured when an aircraft hit a descending helicopter of US Air Force at Dalbandin airport in Balochistan on Saturday, the first reported US deaths in its war on Afghan military campaign.

The bodies and the injured were airlifted to warships in the nearby Gulf, well-placed sources in Dalbandin, about 350km from here, told Dawn by telephone.

The accident occurred when the aircraft that was taxiing hit the bottom of the descending helicopter. The helicopter caught fire while the aircraft ran aground.

The wreckage of the helicopter and the damaged aircraft were later taken away, sources said. Besides, there was fear among the residents of Dalbandin who speak of frequent and unusual flights of aircraft and helicopters.

There is tight security in and around the Dalbandin airport with Frontier Corps personnel carrying out intense patrolling in the town.

JUI’S CLAIM: Meanwhile, the secretary-general of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidri, claimed at a press conference on Saturday that according to his information the Taliban had shot down two US aircraft and killed five soldiers.

AFP adds from Islamabad: “It was an accidental happening,” a Pakistan military official said. “It is not the result of any sabotage activity. The helicopter was involved in a search and rescue operation as part of the logistical support Pakistan is providing (for the US military campaign).”