World | Afghanistan
US helicopter shot down in Afghanistan; no deaths
A helicopter belonging to US-led coalition troops was shot down by small-arms fire south of the Afghan capital on Wednesday, but there were no serious injuries to the people on board, the US military said.
- Reuters
- Published: 10:06 July 2, 2008
Kabul: A helicopter belonging to US-led coalition troops was shot down by small-arms fire south of the Afghan capital on Wednesday, but there were no serious injuries to the people on board, the US military said.
The pilots landed the aircraft safely and evacuated all personnel before it caught fire in the Kharwar district of Logar province.
"There were no serious injuries to the crew or passengers," the military said in a statement.
It did not give further details of the incident in Logar where Taliban militants are known to be active.
It was the second coalition helicopter to be shot down in a week. Another helicopter was shot down in northeastern province of Kunar, but there were no injuries caused.
The Taliban have brought down a number of aircraft, but so far the militants are not thought to have obtained surface-to-air missiles which could alter the balance of the
war dramatically.
Many historians believe it was the Afghan mujahideen's acquisitions of such missiles that tipped the war against the Soviet occupation in their favour in the 1980s.
International troops rely heavily on aircraft to transport troops and supplies around the rugged mountainous country.
Afghanistan has seen another rise in violence this year, despite the increased presence of foreign troops, now numbering more than 70,000.
The austere Islamist Taliban have vowed to step up their campaign of guerrilla, suicide and roadside bomb attacks this year in order to undermine Afghan support for the government in Kabul and pressure foreign troops into pulling out.
Afghanistan
French president in Afghanistan talks of pullout
Two foreign doctors abducted
US ambassador to Kabul to quit, embassy says
Afghan troops complain about obsolete gear
Top Afghan peace negotiator killed
Procurement switch puts boot into Afghan dream
US struck secret deal with Taliban
Soldiers take dogs back home to bust stress
More from World
News Editor's choice
-
Kuwait condemns Houla massacre
Arab League urged to put end to oppression of Syrian people
-
Road crashes main cause of child death in UAE
Death rate among children in car accidents in the UAE is three times higher than global average
-
Last minute ID rush is on
Expatriates in Dubai have thronged typing centres and Emirates ID registration offices to meet the May 31 registration deadline
