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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Afghan helicopter crash kills 31 US troops | Afghan helicopter crash kills 31 US troops |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| A US helicopter crash in eastern Afghanistan has killed 31 US special forces and seven Afghan soldiers, President Hamid Karzai's office says. | A US helicopter crash in eastern Afghanistan has killed 31 US special forces and seven Afghan soldiers, President Hamid Karzai's office says. |
| The helicopter was taking the personnel back to their base after an operation. | The helicopter was taking the personnel back to their base after an operation. |
| It is not clear how the crash happened but the Taliban said they shot the helicopter down. | |
| The incident is believed to be the biggest single loss of life for US forces in Afghanistan since operations began in 2001. | |
| The helicopter went down overnight in Wardak province, the statement from President Karzai's office said. | The helicopter went down overnight in Wardak province, the statement from President Karzai's office said. |
| It was returning from an operation against the Taliban in which eight insurgents are believed to have been killed. | It was returning from an operation against the Taliban in which eight insurgents are believed to have been killed. |
| 'Enemy activity' | |
| "The president of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan expresses his sympathy and deep condolences to US President Barack Obama and the family of the victims," the statement said. | "The president of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan expresses his sympathy and deep condolences to US President Barack Obama and the family of the victims," the statement said. |
| The Nato-led International Security Assistance Force has confirmed the helicopter crash but has not released details of casualties or the cause. | The Nato-led International Security Assistance Force has confirmed the helicopter crash but has not released details of casualties or the cause. |
| Nato said it was mounting an operation to recover the helicopter and find out why it crashed. It said there had been "enemy activity in the area" of the crash. | |
| A Taliban spokesman said insurgents brought down the helicopter with a rocket after US and Afghan troops attacked a house in the Sayd Abad district of Wardak where insurgents were meeting late on Friday, Associated Press news agency said. | |
| Sayd Abad, near the province of Kabul, is known to have a strong Taliban presence. | |
| A Wardak government spokesman quoted by AFP news agency agreed with this, saying the helicopter was hit as it was taking off. | A Wardak government spokesman quoted by AFP news agency agreed with this, saying the helicopter was hit as it was taking off. |
| It is believed the helicopter was a Chinook, commonly used by coalition forces in Afghanistan to ferry troops in and out of combat. | It is believed the helicopter was a Chinook, commonly used by coalition forces in Afghanistan to ferry troops in and out of combat. |