No Army chief relative among Pakistani hostages in Afghanistan: Bajwa

“None of hostage is related to Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif. Rumours are absolutely baseless,” he said in a statement.

Afghan Taliban have reportedly taken at least seven crew members hostage. While, the helicopter has been brought to Kabul on board a trailer which will later be handed over to Pakistan through Tourkham route.

Bajwa said lives of all the hostages were very precious and all efforts being made for their safe and early return.

General Raheel Sharif had called Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Friday and sought help in the safe recovery of the crew members of Punjab government’s helicopter.

He had also contacted Commander Resolute Support Mission General Nicholson to seek his help in this regard.

“We have launched an investigation into the incident…and the government has instructed security forces to spare no efforts to secure the release of the crewmembers,” an Afghan defence ministry statement had said.