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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
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| 5 NATO troops killed in Afghan helicopter crash | 5 NATO troops killed in Afghan helicopter crash |
| (5 months later) | |
| KABUL — Five NATO troops were killed in a helicopter crash Saturday in southern Afghanistan, the deadliest day for the U.S.-led coalition in at least four months. | |
| Britain’s Defense Ministry said in a statement that a British helicopter had crashed. The ministry declined to comment on the nationalities of the victims, but British media reported that all of the victims are thought to be Britons. | Britain’s Defense Ministry said in a statement that a British helicopter had crashed. The ministry declined to comment on the nationalities of the victims, but British media reported that all of the victims are thought to be Britons. |
| “The incident is under investigation and it would be inappropriate to comment further until families have been notified,” the ministry’s statement said. | “The incident is under investigation and it would be inappropriate to comment further until families have been notified,” the ministry’s statement said. |
| According to Afghan officials, the helicopter crashed about 11 a.m. local time in Kandahar province. In a text message to the Associated Press, a Taliban spokesman said the group had shot down the aircraft, but the Taliban frequently makes claims about casualties that are later shown to be false and often takes credit for downing planes that crashed because of mechanical issues. | According to Afghan officials, the helicopter crashed about 11 a.m. local time in Kandahar province. In a text message to the Associated Press, a Taliban spokesman said the group had shot down the aircraft, but the Taliban frequently makes claims about casualties that are later shown to be false and often takes credit for downing planes that crashed because of mechanical issues. |
| The crash appears to have resulted in the greatest loss of life for the coalition 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 Zabul province. | The crash appears to have resulted in the greatest loss of life for the coalition 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 Zabul province. |
| The coalition initially thought the helicopter in the Zabul incident had crashed but later clarified that it had been brought down by enemy fire. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it had used rocket-propelled grenades. | The coalition initially thought the helicopter in the Zabul incident had crashed but later clarified that it had been brought down by enemy fire. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it had used rocket-propelled grenades. |
| The latest deaths come as overall coalition casualties in Afghanistan continue to decline amid NATO’s drawdown of forces. But attacks on foreign civilians have spiked in recent months during a wave of violence targeting establishments where Westerners congregate or work. | The latest deaths come as overall coalition casualties in Afghanistan continue to decline amid NATO’s drawdown of forces. But attacks on foreign civilians have spiked in recent months during a wave of violence targeting establishments where Westerners congregate or work. |
| The most recent such attack came Thursday, when three Americans were shot dead 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. | The most recent such attack came Thursday, when three Americans were shot dead 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| John Gabel’s wife was wounded in the attack, but his mother was unharmed. | John Gabel’s wife was wounded in the attack, but his mother was unharmed. |