Americans among 9 troops killed in Afghanistan copter crash

KABUL, Afghanistan - A helicopter carrying international troops crashed in a rugged section of southern Afghanistan yesterday, killing nine service members in the deadliest such incident in four years for coalition forces.

A "large number" of Americans were among the dead, according to a senior military official in Washington, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

One other coalition service member, an Afghan National Army soldier and a U.S. civilian were injured.

The coalition would not disclose the helicopter's mission, and the cause of the crash was not immediately clear. NATO said there were no reports of enemy fire in the early-morning hours in the Daychopan district of Zabul province, where the crash took place.

However, Taliban spokesman Qari Yousef Ahmadi told The Associated Press by telephone that insurgents shot down the helicopter. The Taliban often exaggerate their claims and sometimes take credit for accidents.

"The Taliban are not involved in this crash at all," said Mohammad Jan Rasoolyar, a spokesman for the provincial governor.

"The investigation is still going on, but the military told us that the helicopter crashed due to technical problems."

Another coalition service member died following a separate explosion in southern Afghanistan, the coalition said. No further details were available.

So far this year, at least 524 U.S. and NATO forces have been killed in Afghanistan, surpassing the 504 killed last year. This year has been the deadliest for international forces since the war began in 2001. U.S. and Romanian forces make up most of the NATO contingent in Zabul province.

Aircraft are used extensively in Afghanistan by NATO and the Afghan government forces to transport and supply troops because terrain is mountainous and roads are few and primitive.

Most helicopter crashes in the country have been accidents caused by maintenance problems or factors such as dust.

Also yesterday, suspected U.S. missiles struck on both sides of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, killing at least 19 alleged militants, according to Pakistani intelligence officials.