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UK Chinook 'did come under fire' UK Chinook 'did come under fire'
(about 4 hours later)
A British military helicopter was shot at before it caught fire and made an emergency landing, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. A British military helicopter was shot at in Afghanistan before it caught fire and made an emergency landing, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.
The four men on board escaped injury and were rescued by another helicopter crew in southern Afghanistan. The four men on board escaped injury and were rescued by another helicopter crew in the south of the country.
The MoD said it had not ruled out the possibility that the Chinook was brought down by Wednesday's attack.The MoD said it had not ruled out the possibility that the Chinook was brought down by Wednesday's attack.
The ministry said the incident, which took place north of Sangin, was still under investigation.The ministry said the incident, which took place north of Sangin, was still under investigation.
It said the crew, from RAF Odiham in Hampshire, were forced to make a "heavy landing" because the helicopter's engine caught fire.It said the crew, from RAF Odiham in Hampshire, were forced to make a "heavy landing" because the helicopter's engine caught fire.
The crew are believed to have been on a general security flight that was unrelated to yesterday's election. The crew are believed to have been on a general security flight unrelated to Thursday's election in Afghanistan.
There was enemy fire at the time of the landing MoD spokesman
The aircraft was deliberately destroyed by a coalition airstrike to keep it out of enemy hands.The aircraft was deliberately destroyed by a coalition airstrike to keep it out of enemy hands.
"The incident is under investigation. There was enemy fire at the time of the landing," a spokesman from the MoD said. "The incident is under investigation. There was enemy fire at the time of the landing," a spokesman for the MoD said.
The Ministry said that in the short term other UK aircraft in the region, and those operated by Nato partners, would be able to cover the "helicopter lift requirement".
"In the medium term, the UK's joint helicopter command is already planning the replacement of this airframe," it said.
CHINOOK FACTS Aircrew: 4Max speed: 185mph [298 km/h]Length: 51ft [15.5m]Rotor span: 60ft [18.3m]Weight: 50,000lbs [22,680kg] max.Range: About 300 miles Sources: Boeing, RAF, GlobalSecurity.org More detailsCHINOOK FACTS Aircrew: 4Max speed: 185mph [298 km/h]Length: 51ft [15.5m]Rotor span: 60ft [18.3m]Weight: 50,000lbs [22,680kg] max.Range: About 300 miles Sources: Boeing, RAF, GlobalSecurity.org More details
Presidential elections The MoD said that in the short term other UK aircraft in the region, and those operated by Nato partners, would be able to cover the "helicopter lift requirement".
An MoD spokesman said British troops were not involved in any major incidents during elections held on Thursday. "In the medium term, the UK's joint helicopter command is already planning the replacement of this airframe," it said.
The MoD said British forces kept a low profile but were on standby close to polling stations in case they were needed to support Afghan security forces. An MoD spokesman said British troops had not been involved in any major incidents during elections held on Thursday.
He said British forces had kept a low profile but were on standby close to polling stations in case they were needed to support Afghan security forces.
Coalition forces did help to distribute ballot papers in Afghanistan, using helicopters to reach remote regions of the country.
Offensive operations against the Taliban were halted the night before voting. They are expected to resume soon.Offensive operations against the Taliban were halted the night before voting. They are expected to resume soon.
Bodies returning home
The bodies of four British servicemen killed in the Sangin area will be flown back to Britain today.
All the men, who served in the 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, were killed last weekend.
Fusilier Simon Annis and Fusilier Louis Carter were killed by an explosion trying to save Lance Corporal James Fullarton, who also died.
Sergeant Simon Valentine was killed in a separate explosion.
They will be flown to RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire before their coffins are driven through nearby Wootton Bassett, where hundreds are expected to line the streets.