Afghanistan: Helicopter crash kills 2 NATO troops
The Sikorsky helicopter was on a peacekeeping mission when it crashed into the house, the Turkish military said. The cause of the crash has not yet been established, and a NATO official said there had been no reports of insurgent activity.
Two members of NATO-led forces in Afghanistan were killed today in a helicopter crash in the eastern province of Wardak.
According to BBC News, military officials said the cause of the crash was still being investigated. They added that no insurgent activity was present at the time of the crash, although the Taliban claimed they shot down the helicopter.
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The crash was the second of the day in Afghanistan, although the first helicopter went down without any fatalities, reported CNN. Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for both downed helicopters in an email, saying they were shot down and 36 soldiers had died. ISAF spokesman Capt. Justin Brockhoff denied the Taliban claims.
According to The Telegraph, Taliban spokesmen often exaggerate or fabricate the movement's involvement in helicopter crashes.
A third NATO service member died today in an insurgent attack in southern Afghanistan, reported CNN. No other details were released about the attack.
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The single deadliest day for US troops since the Afghan war began in 2001 happened in August, according to CNN. Thirty US troops were reinforcing other service members when their helicopter went down. They all died in the crash, along with seven Afghan troops. A US military official said insurgents shot down the CH-47 Chinook. The Taliban said they downed the helicopter with a rocket-propelled grenade.