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| 5 NATO troops killed in Afghan helicopter crash | 5 NATO troops killed in Afghan helicopter crash |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| KABUL — Five NATO troops were killed Saturday in a helicopter crash in southern Afghanistan, the deadliest day for the U.S.-led coalition in at least three months. | KABUL — Five NATO troops were killed Saturday in a helicopter crash in southern Afghanistan, the deadliest day for the U.S.-led coalition in at least three months. |
| In a statement, the Ministry of Defense for the United Kingdom confirmed that a British helicopter had crashed. The ministry declined to comment on the nationalities of the victims, but SKY News reported all of the victims are believed to be British. | |
| “The incident is under investigation and it would be inappropriate to comment further until families have been notified,” the UK statement said. | |
| According to Afghan officials, the helicopter crashed at about 11 a.m. local time in Kandahar province. In a text message to the Associated Press, a Taliban spokesman claimed responsibility for shooting down the helicopter, but the Taliban frequently makes claims that are later proven false. | According to Afghan officials, the helicopter crashed at about 11 a.m. local time in Kandahar province. In a text message to the Associated Press, a Taliban spokesman claimed responsibility for shooting down the helicopter, but the Taliban frequently makes claims that are later proven false. |
| The crash appears to have resulted in the greatest coalition loss of life in a single incident since Dec. 17, when six U.S. troops were killed after a Black Hawk helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan’s southern Zabul province. | The crash appears to have resulted in the greatest coalition loss of life in a single incident since Dec. 17, when six U.S. troops were killed after a Black Hawk helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan’s southern Zabul province. |
| The coalition initially thought that helicopter had crashed, but later clarified that it had been brought down by enemy fire. The Taliban took credit for the December attack, saying it used RPGs to bring down the helicopter. | The coalition initially thought that helicopter had crashed, but later clarified that it had been brought down by enemy fire. The Taliban took credit for the December attack, saying it used RPGs to bring down the helicopter. |
| The most recent deaths come as overall coalition casualties in Afghanistan continue to decline as NATO draws down its forces. But attacks on foreign civilians have spiked in recent months amid a wave of violence targeting establishments where Westerners congregate or work. | The most recent deaths come as overall coalition casualties in Afghanistan continue to decline as NATO draws down its forces. But attacks on foreign civilians have spiked in recent months amid a wave of violence targeting establishments where Westerners congregate or work. |
| The most recent such attack was Thursday when three Americans were shot and killed by an Afghan police officer at a Christian hospital in Kabul. | The most recent such attack was Thursday when three Americans were shot and killed by an Afghan police officer at a Christian hospital in Kabul. |
| Jerry Umanos, a 57-year-old pediatrician from Chicago who had been working at the hospital, was among those killed. | Jerry Umanos, a 57-year-old pediatrician from Chicago who had been working at the hospital, was among those killed. |
| On Saturday, a Kabul University spokesman confirmed the identities of the other slain Americans as John Gabel, a computer-science lecturer at the university, and his father, Gary Gabel. The men were also from the Chicago area, according to the Chicago Sun Times. | On Saturday, a Kabul University spokesman confirmed the identities of the other slain Americans as John Gabel, a computer-science lecturer at the university, and his father, Gary Gabel. The men were also from the Chicago area, according to the Chicago Sun Times. |
| Mohammad Hadi Hedayati, vice-chancellor for administrative affairs, said John Gabel had taught at the university for the past two years and lived in Kabul with his wife. John Gabel’s father and mother had recently traveled to Kabul to visit their son. | Mohammad Hadi Hedayati, vice-chancellor for administrative affairs, said John Gabel had taught at the university for the past two years and lived in Kabul with his wife. John Gabel’s father and mother had recently traveled to Kabul to visit their son. |
| The family had gone to Cure International Hospital to meet with Umanos when the gunman opened fire, Hedayati said. The father and son were killed instantly, he added. | The family had gone to Cure International Hospital to meet with Umanos when the gunman opened fire, Hedayati said. The father and son were killed instantly, he added. |
| John Gabel’s wife was also wounded in the attack, but his mother escaped unharmed. | John Gabel’s wife was also wounded in the attack, but his mother escaped unharmed. |