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| Afghanistan |
| Chopper Crash in Zabul Kills 3 Foreign Troops |
| 2009-07-08 |
| [Quqnoos] Two Canadian and a British soldier were killed Monday in a helicopter crash possibly caused by mechanical failure, officials said. Three other Canadians were hurt in the crash but their health status including the pilots is reportedly satisfied. "It has been an extremely difficult week here in Kandahar," Canadian commander Brig Gen Jonathan Vance said early Tuesday. Canadian military officials dismiss any insurgents' involvement in the crash, suggesting either mechanical failure or human error. Meanwhile, a Taliban purported spokesman Qari Yousuf Ahmadi said the helicopter was shut down by Taliban militants in Zabul, a militants' Web Site quoted him. Taliban claims they have knocked down seven helicopters of the 'enemies', a phrase Taliban refers to International and Afghan troops, over the past four days. "A flight-safety investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the crash," Vance said. Gen Vance expressed condolences over the deaths of the two Canadian soldiers what he termed them brave and will be remembered forever. Zabul province is just outside Kandahar -- Canada's main sphere of operations, but the crew was apparently on a transport mission. At least six Canadian soldiers have been killed over the past one month following a two-month period of relative calm that saw no deaths. |
| Posted by:Fred |