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Helicopter 'down' in Afghanistan Helicopter crashes in Afghanistan
(10 minutes later)
A helicopter from the US-led coalition has crashed in south-eastern Afghanistan after reporting engine failure, the coalition has said. The US-led coalition has said one of its helicopters has crashed in south-eastern Afghanistan after reporting engine failure.
The coalition did not give any details about possible casualties, how many people were on board or what type of helicopter was involved. The helicopter is reported to be an American Chinook, but the coalition did not give any more details.
An operation has been mounted to locate and rescue the helicopter's occupants.An operation has been mounted to locate and rescue the helicopter's occupants.
Coalition and Nato forces have lost several helicopters in Afghanistan in the last few years but only one is thought to have been shot down.
The helicopter crashed in the Shah Joy district of Zabul province, residents told Reuters news agency.
The province borders Pakistan and has been the scene of Taleban activity recently.
There is no indication as to whether the helicopter was on a military mission.
A Taleban spokesman said the helicopter had been shot down, but the BBC's Alastair Leithead in Kabul says they frequently make similar claims that are unfounded.
Nato and coalition forces are bracing for an expected spring offensive from regrouping Taleban fighters.Nato and coalition forces are bracing for an expected spring offensive from regrouping Taleban fighters.