The U.S. military says rescue teams have reached the wreckage of a helicopter that went down Tuesday in eastern Afghanistan, but there is still no word on the fate of the 17 U.S. troops on board.
A spokesman Lt. Col. Jerry O'Hara told reporters in Kabul today-Thursday that military rescuers are at the site and that recovery operations are continuing. He did not elaborate.
Military officials say it appears the Chinook helicopter was brought down by hostile fire.
The helicopter crashed in remote mountainous terrain west of Kunar province's capital, Asadabad, while transporting troops as part of an ongoing operation against suspected Taleban and al-Qaida terrorists.
Shortly after the crash, the Taleban said it shot down the aircraft.
Information for this report is provided by AP and AFP.
