US admits Taliban shot down helicopter

THE US military said yesterday that hostile fire likely brought down a Chinook helicopter that crashed in eastern Afghanistan, and officials said the status of the 17 American soldiers aboard was unknown.

If confirmed, Tuesday's attack would apparently be the first time a US-led coalition aircraft here has been downed by hostile fire, representing a major new threat to the coalition. The US-backed mujahedeen war against Soviet occupiers in Afghanistan in the 1980s finally turned when Afghan fighters acquired the ability to shoot down Soviet aircraft. The troops were on a mission against al-Qaida fighters when the helicopter went down in mountainous terrain near Asadabad, in Kunar province.

"The helicopter was transporting forces into the area as part of Operation Red Wing, which is part of the enduring fight to defeat al-Qaida militants," a military statement said. "Initial reports indicate the crash may have been caused by hostile fire. The status of the service members is unknown at this time."

US spokeswoman Lt Cindy Moore said no other details about those on board was available, nearly 24 hours after the crash.

More than 660 people have been killed in Afghanistan since March - including 465 suspected insurgents, 29 US troops, 43 Afghan police and soldiers, and 125 civilians - a level unprecedented since the ouster of the Taliban in 2001. The military statement said coalition and Afghan troops had "quickly moved into position around the crash to block any enemy movement toward or away from the site" and that coalition support aircraft were overhead.

Kunar provincial police chief Abdul Gafar said coalition troops had been dropped by helicopters into the rugged mountains around the crash site. He said the government had proposed sending Afghan soldiers into the region, but the offer was declined by the coalition.

"This is a tragic event for all of us, and our hearts and prayers go out to the families, loved ones and men still fighting in the area," said US Army Brig Gen Greg Champion, deputy commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force-76. "This incident will only further our resolve to defeat the enemies of peace."

Purported Taliban spokesman Mullah Latif Hakimi telephoned The Associated Press before news of the crash was released on Tuesday and claimed the insurgents shot it down. He said the rebels filmed the attack and would release the video to the media.

Hakimi often calls news organisations to claim responsibility for attacks on behalf of the Taliban. His information has frequently proven untrue or exaggerated, and his exact tie to the leadership is unclear.