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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Helicopter crashes in Afghanistan | Helicopter crashes in Afghanistan |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| The US-led coalition has said one of its helicopters has crashed in south-eastern Afghanistan after reporting engine failure. | The US-led coalition has said one of its helicopters has crashed in south-eastern Afghanistan after reporting engine failure. |
| The helicopter is reported to be an American Chinook, but the coalition did not give any more details. | 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. | 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. |
| Taleban claim | |
| "It was not enemy fire related," Col Tom Collins, of Nato's International Security Assistance Force (Isaf), was quoted by the Associated Press news agency as saying. | "It was not enemy fire related," Col Tom Collins, of Nato's International Security Assistance Force (Isaf), was quoted by the Associated Press news agency as saying. |
| The Chinook is regularly used as a troop carrier in Afghanistan | |
| "The pilot was able to radio in that he was having engine problems. We're confident it was not due to enemy action." | "The pilot was able to radio in that he was having engine problems. We're confident it was not due to enemy action." |
| The helicopter crashed in the Shah Joy district of Zabul province, residents told Reuters news agency. | 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. | The province borders Pakistan and has been the scene of Taleban activity recently. |
| 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. | 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. |
| There is no indication as to whether the helicopter was on a military mission. | There is no indication as to whether the helicopter was on a military mission. |
| Our correspondent says the helicopter was based in Bagram airbase, near Kabul, where the weather has been poor. | Our correspondent says the helicopter was based in Bagram airbase, near Kabul, where the weather has been poor. |
| But he said the weather further south in Zabul has been clearer. | But he said the weather further south in Zabul has been clearer. |
| Nato and coalition forces in Afghanistan are bracing for an expected spring offensive from regrouping Taleban fighters. | Nato and coalition forces in Afghanistan are bracing for an expected spring offensive from regrouping Taleban fighters. |