According to an email alert sent by Brian Walker, supervising editor at the CNN International Desk, Mohammad Khurrassani, spokesman of Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), said the Taliban was responsible for the crash, adding it was shot down using a SAM-7, a shoulder-fired missile.
Khurrassani said the target of the attack was Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
He added, “Today TTP’s Special Task Force (STF) and Taliban Intelligence Unit make a special plan to target the Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif during his visit. Nawaz Sharif survived the attack plan because he abolished his visit plan.”
But Bajwa disputed Khurrassani's statement, saying the cause of the crash was mechanical, as indicated in the initial investigation.