10 soldiers killed in helicopter crash

A US-led coalition military transport helicopter crashed while conducting combat operations in eastern Afghanistan, killing all 10 soldiers on board, a US military spokeswoman said today.

The CH-47 Chinook crashed late Friday while on a mission in support of Operation Mountain Lion, an offensive to root out Taliban and al Qaida militants near the mountainous border with Pakistan.

The crash was not the result of enemy fire, said Lt. Tamara Lawrence, a coalition spokeswoman.

“The remains of all the 10 soldiers have been found and there are no survivors,” she said. ”There is no indication that the helicopter came down due to some enemy action.”