×

Our award-winning reporting has moved

Context provides news and analysis on three of the world’s most critical issues:

climate change, the impact of technology on society, and inclusive economies.

Eleven killed in Afghan helicopter crash, including foreign troops

by Reuters
Thursday, 16 August 2012 12:14 GMT

(Adds details, Taliban claims)

KABUL, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Eleven people have been killed in a Black Hawk helicopter crash in southern Afghanistan, including three U.S. soldiers and four other foreign troops, the NATO-led coalition force in the country said on Thursday.

The cause of the crash, which Afghan authorities said was in the Shah Wali Kot district of southern Kandahar province, was under investigation, the International Security Assistance Force said in a statement.

"The crash resulted in the deaths of four International Security Assistance Force service members, three United States Forces-Afghanistan service members, three members of the Afghan National Security Forces, and one Afghan civilian interpreter," ISAF said.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for shooting down the helicopter, although the insurgency often exaggerates its victories and is quick to claim responsibility for any incident involving foreign troop deaths.

The area where the helicopter went down is an insurgent hotbed and supply route, lying north of Kandahar city near volatile Zabul and Uruzgan provinces.

The Taliban shot down a CH-47 Chinook transport helicopter in August 2011, killing all 38 people on board, including 25 U.S. special operations soldiers. (Writing by Rob Taylor; Editing by Daniel Magnowski and Ed Lane)

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

-->