This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/17/afghanistan-plane-crash-nato-soldiers-killed
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
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 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. |
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. | Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. |