6 Airmen, 5 Contractors Killed in C-130 Crash; Taliban Claim They Brought It Down

Six U.S. airmen and five civilian contractors were killed when a C-130 transport plane crashed in Nangarhar province.

The Pentagon said the cause of the Jalalabad crash, which happened shortly after midnight local time according to Afghan news sources, is under investigation.

The Taliban claim they shot it down.

“At least 15 invaders of the US-Nato troop were killed when Mujahideen of the Islamic Emirate shot down one of the enemy transporting military personnel late yesterday night in eastern Afghanistan,” the Taliban posted on their website.

“Our mujahideen have shot down a four-engine US aircraft in Jalalabad,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid tweeted. “Based on credible information 15 invading forces and a number of puppet troops were killed.”

The Taliban have previously attacked the Jalalabad airport, killing five in a ground battle in December 2012.

Though they’re renowned for making wild claims about military successes, the Taliban have recently toned down their faux boasting a little bit as social media and effective local media in Afghanistan have called out their claims.

President Obama, who is holding a press conference later this afternoon to announce the resignation of Education Secretary Arne Duncan, issued a brief statement on the crash.

“In addition to the Americans we mourn, we also are saddened that Afghan civilians lost their lives in this incident,” Obama said. “As we mark this terrible loss of life, we are reminded of the sacrifice brave Americans and our Afghan partners make each and every day in the name of freedom and security. Their willingness to serve so selflessly will not be forgotten.”