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."

FMI: www.centcom.mil