In a remote area of rural Afghanistan, a Russian private jet carrying six people crashed, but the Taliban has stated that the pilot and some of the individuals on board have survived. The crash occurred on Saturday in the mountainous region of Badakhshan province, approximately 250 kilometers northeast of the capital Kabul. A rescue team has been sent to the area to assist.

According to Zabihullah Amiri, a regional spokesman, the Taliban's Transportation and Civil Aviation Ministry released an online statement confirming that the plane was discovered in the Kuf Ab district of Badakhshan province, near the Aruz Koh mountain. The statement claims that the pilot and four others, including the pilot, are alive, and efforts are underway to locate any remaining survivors.

While there is no independent confirmation of the information provided by the Taliban, a video showcasing the snow-capped mountains in the area has been released by them.

Russian civil aviation authorities in Moscow reported that a Dassault Falcon 10 aircraft with four crew members and two passengers had gone missing. The Russian-registered plane ceased communication and disappeared from radar screens. The flight had originated from Thailand's U-Tapao-Rayong-Pattaya International Airport and was operating as a charter ambulance flight, transporting individuals from Gaya, India, to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and eventually Moscow's Zhukovsky International Airport.

The plane, built in 1978, belongs to Athletic Group LLC and a private individual, as stated by Russian officials. Investigations into potential violations of air safety rules or negligence have been initiated by Russia's Investigative Committee, as per standard procedures following such incidents. The Russian Embassy in Afghanistan is also coordinating with local officials regarding the crash.

Different sources provide conflicting information about the ownership of the plane. While Abdul Wahid Rayan, a spokesperson for the Taliban's Information and Culture Ministry, suggests the aircraft belongs to a Moroccan company, Indian civil aviation officials describe it as Moroccan-registered. The aircraft had been associated with a medical evacuation company in Morocco, but the company is no longer in business, according to an individual reached for comment.

The Taliban attributes the crash to an "engine problem," although no further details have been provided. Afghan air force rescue teams are actively searching the area, as stated by Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban's chief spokesperson.

This incident highlights the ongoing concerns surrounding air travel in Afghanistan. International carriers have largely avoided the country since the Taliban's takeover in 2021. Authorities around the world imposed restrictions on commercial flights due to fears of anti-aircraft fire, following the shooting down of Malaysian Airlines Flight 17 over Ukraine in 2014. While some restrictions have been eased, apprehensions persist about flying through Afghan airspace.

The last fatal airplane crash in Afghanistan occurred in 2020 when a U.S. Air Force Bombardier E-11A crashed in Ghazni province, resulting in the deaths of two American troops.