Gunmen bring down helicopter

A helicopter carrying workers from the US construction company Louis Berger crashed in southern Afghanistan today after coming under small arms fire, killing at least one person and seriously injuring another, a US embassy official said.

The Australian pilot of the helicopter was killed and an American passenger who was working in setting up health clinics in the region was seriously injured, a spokesman said.

“Apparently the helicopter was forced down by small arms fire,” the spokesman said, adding it was not clear who had opened fire.

It was not immediately clear how many people were on board the helicopter.

Afghan military officials said the crash occurred in the Thaloqan area, about 40 miles southwest of the southern city of Kandahar. They said four people were killed.

“We have sent the investigation team to the area to find out more,” said Khan Mohammad, the corps commander in Kandahar.