31 US soldiers, 7 Afghans killed in helicopter crash
Militants in eastern Afghanistan shot down a US helicopter, killing 31 Special Forces soldiers on board, Afghan President Hamid Karzai said in a statement on Saturday.
He also said seven Afghan soldiers were killed in the crash, - DPA reported.
"The helicopter crashed Friday night in Maidan Wardak province and as result of the crash, 31 soldiers with US Special Forces, including crew members were killed," Karzai said in a statement.
Karzai paid his "deep sympathies and condolences" to US President Barak Obama and the families of victims in the statement released by the presidential palace.
Shahidullah Shahid, spokesman for the provincial governor in Maidan Wardak, said the chopper crashed in Seyad Abad district.
He could not confirm if it was shot down by the insurgents.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack saying they shot down the aircraft.
NATO spokesman Tim James confirmed the crash, saying there were enemy activities when the helicopter went down. But he refused to comment if it was shot down by the Taliban insurgents.
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