8 killed in army helicopter crash in Afghanistan

Eight persons were killed when an army helicopter crashed in Afghanistan’s Baghlan province on Sunday, an official said.

The Taliban terrorist group has claimed responsibility for downing the helicopter.

“The army helicopter crashed in Qarghan Tapa, a mountainous area on northwestern outskirts of provincial capital Pul-e-Khumir around 6.00 a.m. (local time),” Xinhua news agency quoted an official as saying.

“Military authorities have initiated an investigation and details will be released afterwards,” the official added.

The Mi-17 helicopter, which was delivering supplies to an army camp, was shot down by a militants’ rocket propelled grenade, an army official said, adding that three soldiers and five crew members were among the dead.