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Afghanistan aircraft crash: six US soldiers killed Afghanistan aircraft crash: six US soldiers killed
(35 minutes later)
Six US soldiers have been killed in a helicopter crash in Zabul, southern Afghanistan, a US defence official said on Tuesday – the largest death toll in a single incident to hit Nato's international force in months.Six US soldiers have been killed in a helicopter crash in Zabul, southern Afghanistan, a US defence official said on Tuesday – the largest death toll in a single incident to hit Nato's international force in months.
"The cause of the crash is under investigation, however initial reporting indicates there was no enemy activity in the area at the time," a Nato statement said.. "The cause of the crash is under investigation, however initial reporting indicates there was no enemy activity in the area at the time," a Nato statement said.
Deputy governor of southern Zabul province, Mohammad Jan Rasoolyar, said a Nato helicopter crashed in the remote district of Shajau, though it was not immediately clear if he was describing the same incident. The deputy governor of southern Zabul province, Mohammad Jan Rasoolyar, said a Nato helicopter crashed in the remote district of Shajau, though it was not immediately clear whether he was describing the same incident.
Aircraft crashes are not uncommon in mountainous Afghanistan.Aircraft crashes are not uncommon in mountainous Afghanistan.
The worst such incident was in August 2011, when the Taliban shot down a transport helicopter, killing all 38 people on board including 25 US special operations forces.The worst such incident was in August 2011, when the Taliban shot down a transport helicopter, killing all 38 people on board including 25 US special operations forces.
About 84,000 Nato-led troops are serving in Afghanistan, including about 60,000 from the United States. That number is expected to be reduced to about 10,000 by 2015.About 84,000 Nato-led troops are serving in Afghanistan, including about 60,000 from the United States. That number is expected to be reduced to about 10,000 by 2015.
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