In a terrible incident at least ten civilians, including eight Turkish nationals, are feared to be in the custody of the Taliban after a cargo helicopter made an emergency landing in a remote area of eastern Afghanistan on Sunday, Afghan and Turkish officials said.

Eight Turkish nationals have been detained in Afghanistan after their chartered Mi-8 helicopter was forced to land, said Levent Gumrukcu, a spokesman at the Turkish Foreign Ministry in Ankara. He added that two crew members had also been captured.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid disputed the Turkish statement and claimed on Monday that the insurgents captured alive 11 "foreigners" aboard a "U.S.-NATO helicopter," which he said carried "American military officers" and two translators before being forced to land by bad weather.

NATO has issued a statement saying the aircraft was not carrying any military personal nor it was on a military mission.