How Taliban almost killed German defence minister
November 16th, 2009 - 2:25 pm ICT by ANI
London, Nov. 16 (ANI): The helicopter of Germany’s new Defence Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg was almost hit by the Taliban in Afghanistan, where he had gone to visit German troops.
On Friday, Guttenberg’s helicopter narrowly missed the heavy machine gun and tracer firing from Taliban, as it flew in convoy with two others above Kunduz province.
The Minister in Chancellor Angela Merkel’s new centre-right government was not hurt as his helicopter zigzagged through the sky with troops on board returning the fire.
Guttenberg, who was visiting German army’s main base in Kunduz province, was informed of the attack during the flight.
Travelling along with Guttenberg were the German army’s general inspector, Wolfgang Schneiderhan, and Germany’s ambassador to Afghanistan, Werner Hans Lauk.
No damage was reported.
A few days back, a German helicopter had received a direct hit from Taliban guns on its fuel tank and was forced to make an emergency landing. (ANI)
Related Stories
- Top German army officer resigns over Afghan civilian bombing - Nov 26, 2009
- NATO chief seeks troops for Afghanistan amid German crisis (Lead) - Nov 27, 2009
- NATO report criticises German colonel in Afghan airstrike - Nov 06, 2009
- German minister quits over Afghan cover-up scandal - Nov 27, 2009
- Fiat doubts about future of GM's German operations - May 09, 2009
- 90 dead in Afghan explosion as Taliban distributes fuel (Second Lead) - Sep 04, 2009
- Once peaceful Afghan province sees violence rise before vote - Aug 18, 2009
- Militants, including woman, killed in Afghan ambush - Aug 29, 2009
- Don't mention the war - Germany's Afghanistan taboo - Sep 24, 2009
- Suicide bomber targets NATO forces in Afghanistan - Aug 10, 2009
Posted in World, |






