Asia-Pacific

NATO helicopter goes down in S Afghanistan

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-08-05 19:29

KABUL -?NATO forces say a Canadian helicopter has gone down in southern Afghanistan but no one was injured.

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The craft went down Thursday afternoon in Kandahar province's Panjwai District, a volatile area under the command of Canadian forces. NATO forces spokesman Maj. Michael Johnson says the craft made a "hard landing" and then caught fire.

Taliban spokesman Qari Yousef Ahmadi claimed the insurgent group shot the craft down with a rocket. Johnson said the cause of the incident is being investigated and hostile fire has not been ruled out.

A shopkeeper said he heard a loud bang, then saw smoke and the helicopter falling into a field.

Johnson said the five crew members and five passengers have been recovered safely.