Taliban Shoots Down Afghan Helicopter Even as U.S. Delivers New Attack Choppers

The U.S. handed over new attack helicopters to Afghanistan, even after three helicopters were shot down by Taliban in the recent days.

“The helicopters were delivered to Kabul today and are to be officially handed over to the Air Force in a special ceremony. According to the plan, more helicopters will be delivered to Afghanistan in the coming months,” Afghan National Army's (ANA) Shokhin Corps 209 spokesman was quoted as saying in a statement by Interfax on Friday.

Taliban destroyed a government helicopter in northeastern Afghanistan on July 16.

"An enemy Black Hawk helicopter used in bombing civilians was destroyed in a tactical attack at Kunduz airport this morning. Two helicopters were destroyed in a similar attack a few days ago," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid tweeted on Friday morning.

Afghan forces Friday with Taliban fighters today in Spin Boldak after launching an operation to retake the key border crossing with Pakistan. The fight for the border comes as the Taliban close in on the stronghold of long-time foe Abdul Rashid Dostum. The warlord has been widely accused of committing atrocities, war crimes, massacres (Dasht-i-Leili massacre) in Afghanistan since 1980s. For years, Dostum has overseen one of the largest militias in the north, which garnered a fearsome reputation in its fight with the Taliban in the 1990s.