Troop casualties as ISAF helicopter crashes: Afghan official

Aug 06, 2011 |

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A helicopter from the NATO-led foreign force in Afghanistan crashed during an anti-Taliban operation, an Afghan official said Saturday, adding there were foreign troop casualties.

The helicopter came down late Friday in the eastern province of Wardak, southwest of the capital Kabul, said provincial spokesman Shahidullah Shahid.

"The joint forces (foreign and Afghan) conducted an operation against the Taliban in Sayd Abad district last night," he said.

"Eight insurgents were killed. A coalition helicopter that was firing on insurgents at the time crashed.

"We're not sure if this happened due to insurgent fire or not but there were some casualties of foreign troops due to the crash."

A spokesman for the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan said they were currently assessing what had happened.

"We are aware of an incident involving a helicopter in eastern Afghanistan," the spokesman said, adding he could not give any further details at this stage.

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said the insurgent group was responsible for shooting down the helicopter. The militia frequently exaggerates claims in relation to attacks in Afghanistan.

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