Skip to main content
CNN

U.S. helicopter believed shot down in Afghanistan; 2 killed

By the CNN Wire Staff
updated 1:36 PM EDT, Wed June 6, 2012
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • NEW: ISAF says the cause of the crash is under investigation
  • Two U.S. troops were killed
  • The Taliban claims responsibility

(CNN) -- The United States believes one of its armed helicopters was shot down over Afghanistan on Wednesday, killing both crew members on board, a U.S. military official said.

NATO's International Security Assistance Force issued a statement saying that two ISAF members died "following a helicopter crash in eastern Afghanistan today."

"The cause of the crash is currently under investigation," ISAF said. "... At this time it is too early to speculate on the cause of the incident."

Operational reporting indicates there were no civilian casualties or damage to civilian property, ISAF said.

"It is likely that the helo today was brought down due to enemy small arms and RPG fire," the U.S. military official said. The chopper was a U.S. Army OH-58 Kiowa Warrior reconnaissance helicopter. It went down over Ghazni province.

In an e-mail, the Taliban claimed responsibility for downing the helicopter, saying a rocket was used.

"After the rocket hit it, the helicopter came down and took fire," said the e-mail, sent by Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid.

CNN's Barbara Starr in Washington and Masoud Popalzai in Kabul contributed to this report.

ADVERTISEMENT
Part of complete coverage on
Afghanistan
updated 9:35 PM EDT, Mon April 1, 2013
CNN's Anna Coren reports on how U.S. Special Forces are not just fighting terrorists in Afghanistan.
updated 6:54 AM EDT, Mon April 1, 2013
With U.S. Special Forces in Afghanistan, CNN's Anna Coren reports on a Taliban firefight lasting more than 90 minutes.
updated 10:54 AM EDT, Mon April 1, 2013
Mallika Kapur has the story of a young Afghan graffiti artist who, despite Taliban threats, pushes for free expression.
updated
For the first time, a Pakistan government served its full term and the lack of a military coup attempt shows government is more stable than many think.
updated 11:22 AM EST, Sat February 16, 2013
President Obama has revealed new details about the troop withdrawal. But there are several key issues that still must be resolved.
updated 7:35 AM EST, Mon February 11, 2013
Author William Dalrymple's new book "Return of a King" looks at the history of foreign-led wars in Afghanistan.
CNN.com's 'Home and Away' initiative honors the lives of U.S. and coalition troops who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan.
updated 10:28 AM EST, Tue February 12, 2013
Former Army Staff Sgt. Clint Romesha receives the Medal of Honor for his role in one of the worst ground attacks of the Afghanistan war.
updated 4:18 PM EST, Tue February 12, 2013
osamabinladen
On Monday Esquire magazine published a massive profile of the Navy SEAL who says he shot Osama bin Laden.
The mother of a little Afghan girl cannot face her daughter. She looks down in shame as she explains why she must hand her over to drug lords.
updated 5:21 PM EST, Sun January 27, 2013
Aman Mojadidi, an American of Afghan descent, is an artist who has worked in Kabul and chosen particularly provocative themes.
updated 11:14 AM EST, Thu January 10, 2013
Afghan President Hamid Karzai met with President Barack Obama to discuss the post-2014 American presence in Afghanistan.
U.S. underestimates importance of Islam in making Afghanistan a better place, say authors.
updated 9:28 PM EST, Thu November 29, 2012
The number of people forced to flee their homes is increasing and the conditions for the displaced are far below international standards.
updated 3:24 PM EDT, Fri June 8, 2012
Unexploded munitions from war games in Afghanistan make a dangerous play ground for local children.
Her story of torture by the Taliban made her the iconic face of the oppression of women in Afghanistan.
ADVERTISEMENT