- (JUS) -- News on the helicopter crash near Bagram airbase
has now been received from sources in the area. An Ausaf reporter at the
scene said a total of 10 US soldiers were killed in the chopper crash,
not 5 as had been previously reported by US military sources. Two others
were wounded in the incident and evacuated from the area.
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- The US command at Bagram airbase initially denied the
reports and later said it was investigating but refused to take journalists
from the base to the crash site. Some reporters were able to locate the
wreckage and said the helicopter was broken into three pieces, with some
parts having fallen into a nearby river bed. About 15 US soldiers were
guarding the site by the time the most reporters were able to reach the
area and they were prohibited from taking photographs and filming of the
wreckage.
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- US Command later said the helicopter had crashed due
to engine failure however facts on the ground suggest otherwise. The troops
on board were involved in the latest U.S. operation "Mountain Resolve"
and were actively pursuing Taliban Mujahideen when the crash occurred.
The extent of the damage indicates that the chopper was unable to make
a hard landing which is routine procedure when engines fail. The amount
of damage the aircraft makes it was impossible to determine if it had encountered
any ground fire. Rumors here are that the chopper was shot down by the
Taliban who are said to have claimed responsibility for the attack however
no official confirmation from the Taliban has been received at the time
of this filing. (JUS)
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