Seventeen aboard crashed US chopper in Afghanistan

By David Brunnstrom

KABUL (Reuters) - A U.S. military helicopter that crashed during an anti-guerrilla mission in eastern Afghanistan may have been shot down and the fate of 17 U.S. troops aboard is not immediately known, the U.S. military said on Wednesday.

Initial reports indicated Tuesday's crash in Kunar province, which borders Pakistan, may have been caused by hostile fire in the operation against al Qaeda militants, the military said.

The twin-rotor CH-47 Chinook came down in remote and mountainous terrain west of Kunar's capital Asadabad, U.S. spokeswoman Lieutenant Cindy Moore said.

Kunar Governor Asadullah Wafa said it was hit by a rocket and a spokesman for the Taliban, Abdul Latif Hakimi, claimed the guerrillas shot down the aircraft in the village of Shorak using "a new type of weapon" he did not describe.

"Initial reports indicate the crash may have been caused by hostile fire, a U.S. statement said. "The status of the service members is unknown at this time."

It said U.S. and Afghan troops had sealed off the crash site to block any enemy movement toward or away from it and U.S. aircraft were flying overhead.

"This is a tragic event," U.S. Brig-Gen Greg Champion said in the statement. "Our hearts and prayers go out to the families, loved ones and service members still fighting in the area."



Semper Fi

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