Afghanistan: Helicopter troops 'were taking part in rescue bid'

The US Navy SEALs whose helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan had rushed to the mountainous area to help a US Army Ranger unit that was under fire from insurgents, officials say.

The rescue team had completed the mission, subduing the attackers who had the Rangers pinned down, and were leaving in their Chinook helicopter when the aircraft was apparently hit, one of the officials said.