Wed, Jun 29, 2005
Insurgents Claim Responsibility, Promise Video
ANN REAL-TIME NEWS: 0527 EDT -- Members of Afghanistan's
renegade Taliban say they shot down a US Army MH47 Chinook
helicopter in the eastern part of the country Tuesday, and military
officials say that may indeed have been the case. There were 17
service members on board -- and there's no immediate indication as
to their fate.
"Initial reports indicate the crash may have been caused by
hostile fire," Tuesday's U.S. military statement said. It was
quoted by CNN. "The status of the service members is unknown at
this time."
A man claiming to be a Taliban official called CNN's bureau in
Pakistan on Tuesday, saying the one-time rulers of Afghanistan had
indeed shot down the big helo in the Hindu Kush mountains just west
of Asadabad, near the Pakistani border.
The aircraft "was transporting additional forces into an area in
support of U.S. forces currently conducting counter-terrorism
operations," the Coalition Press Information Center of the Combined
Forces Command in Kabul said in a written statement.
There were early indications that
the aircraft was hit by some sort of missile. Insurgents claimed
they had a video showing the aircraft being brought down as it was
maneuvering to land.
"This is a tragic event for all of us, and our hearts and
prayers go out to the families, loved ones and service members
still fighting in the area," said US Army Brig. Gen. Greg Champion.
"Our courage and commitment to America's fight in the global war on
terror will not waver. This incident will only further our resolve
to defeat the enemies of peace."
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