Gunfire downs coalition helicopter in Afghanistan; no serious injuries

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
A helicopter from the US-led forces was shot down south of the Afghan capital Wednesday, but the crew escaped without serious injury, the coalition said. Small-arms fire downed the chopper in Kherwar district of Logar province. The pilots were able to land the aircraft, get everyone off before it caught fire and evacuate the area, a statement said. No other details were released. Logar police chief Mohammed Mustafa Khan said reports from his officers in the remote district suggested Taliban militants shot down the helicopter with a rocket-propelled grenade. He had no other information. Helicopter crashes have been among the deadliest incidents for international troops in Afghanistan. Most recently, seven soldiers died when a Chinook helicopter was shot down during an air assault in the southern province of Helmand in May 2007.