World

Marine Helicopter Crashes in Afghanistan, Kills 6

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AP) — A NATO helicopter crashed in southern Afghanistan on Thursday, killing six members of the international military force, the U.S.-led coalition said.

The coalition said in a release early Friday morning that there was no enemy activity in the area at the time of the crash in southern Afghanistan.

The cause of the crash is still being investigated. The coalition did not disclose the nationalities of those killed.

The helicopter crash occurred on the same day seven civilians were killed outside a crowded gate at Kandahar Air Field, a sprawling base for U.S. and NATO operations, after a suicide attacker set off a vehicle laden with explosives. The Taliban claimed responsibility, claiming they were targeting a NATO convoy.

It was the second suicide bombing in as many days in southern Afghanistan, officials said. The coalition said no NATO troops were killed. It does not disclose information about injured troops.

Separately, Afghan authorities reported Thursday that avalanches have killed at least 29 people in the country’s mountainous northeast.

Two witnesses told The Associated Press that they suspect the suicide car bomber was trying to hit U.S. forces because he detonated his explosives just as two pickup trucks, which they say are often used by American special forces, were leaving the base.

Taliban spokesman Qari Yousef said NATO forces opened fire after the bombing, and that they killed three of the seven civilians who died. The coalition denied this, saying there was no fighting after the blast.

Earlier, officials reported that the suicide bomber was walking near the gate, but the Afghan Ministry of Interior later said the attacker was driving a Toyota Corolla.

Zalmai Ayubi, the spokesman for the Kandahar provincial governor, said two children were among the seven civilians killed. He said eight other civilians, including two children and one woman, were injured in the explosion.

Gates to the larger U.S. bases in Afghanistan often are crowded with trucks waiting to deliver goods and services, and local Afghans going to or coming back from jobs on the compounds.

Safiullah, a 40-year-old fuel tank driver from neighboring Zabul province, was waiting his turn to enter the base when the blast occurred.

“There was dust and smoke everywhere,” said Safiullah, who uses just one name. “I got down on my knees. When the smoke lifted, I moved closer. I saw two children dead at the side of the road.”

At the time of the explosion, two pickup trucks were leaving the base, he said. He said he remembered that because he and another man were conversing at the time about how U.S. special forces sometimes use that kind of truck.

The explosion shattered the window of a taxi driven by Sabiullah Khan, who was at the gate waiting for customers.

“I put my head down in my car,” he said. “For three or four minutes I was afraid. I was reciting the words of the Quran,” the Muslim holy book. “When the smoke cleared and I knew I was OK, I started looking outside. People were shouting for help. I saw one vehicle on fire. The Afghan army were running and taking out the wounded.”

He said that when he got out of his taxi, he also saw the two pickup trucks.

“Nobody was in them, but from the condition of the vehicle, I’m sure that if they were not killed, they were wounded,” he said.

On Wednesday, 13 civilians, including three Afghan policemen, were killed when a suicide attacker blew himself up in a bazaar in neighboring Helmand Province.

The Helmand governor’s office said 22 others were wounded in the blast in Kajaki district.

The coalition said some international troops were killed and wounded in the attack, but did not disclose details.

Late Wednesday, NATO reported that one coalition trooper had been killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan, but would not say whether the service member died in the Kajaki bombing, or some other incident.

U.S. Gen. John Allen, the top commander of American and NATO forces in Afghanistan, condemned the Kajaki attack, saying it was evidence that the Taliban insurgents had “declared outright war” on the Afghan people. He said that such violence “will only further isolate the Taliban from the process of peace negotiation.”

The U.S. has been working to broker talks between the Taliban and President Hamid Karzai’s government to end the 10-year war. The insurgents recently said they would open a political office in the Gulf state of Qatar to pursue negotiations but would also continue fighting.

In northern Afghanistan, 29 people have died in avalanches reported since Monday in Badakhshan province. according to the Afghan National Disaster Management Agency.

At least 40 more people have been injured and rescuers were struggling to reach areas of Afghanistan’s mountainous northeast that have been cut off by heavy snows.

Roads outside the provincial capital of Faizabad were blocked by at least 6 feet (2 meters) of snow, the agency said.

Afghanistan’s harsh winters and mountainous terrain in the north make avalanches a danger each year.

In February 2010, an avalanche killed at least 171 people near the Salang Pass, a major route through the Hindu Kush mountains that connects the capital of Kabul to the north of the country.

Comments (33)

  • lisa2994
    Posted on January 20, 2012 at 1:15pm

    I pray they all come home safely.. I have a family member there and pray for his safe return everyday! GOD bless the troops and those who fight along side them!

    Report Post » lisa2994  
  • ddg7
    Posted on January 20, 2012 at 10:34am

    Osama is dead! It’s time to get the hell out of Afghanistan. Let those SOB’s eat themselves.

    Report Post »  
  • Johann
    Posted on January 20, 2012 at 9:34am

    Why do you persist in this charade of reporting Nato deaths when the reality is that the troops killed were almost all Americans. The propogandists in the Obama regime have decided to use this form of deception to mask the slaughter of American troops that is presently going on in Afghanistan by pretending that the troops involved are from other countries; in actuality very few European troops are even exposed to danger; the Germans specifically demand that their troops never be placed in a situation where a battle might take place. The Master of lies we are taught is Satan and now the American president and State department are his disciples.O tempora O mores.

    Report Post »  
  • kkay1961
    Posted on January 20, 2012 at 4:58am

    God bless our troops, in 2009 or 2010 a helicopter went down at KAF with 19 Philippine’s, we lost them all. God bless the civilians supporting our troops.

    Report Post »  
  • jvrat
    Posted on January 20, 2012 at 12:20am

    crazy ya !!! righteous ya —-do it -they are deserving -for those caught in the mist of it no remorse – bar none- simple answer twx

    Report Post »  
  • LTinUT
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 11:18pm

    Every time I see these headlines, my heart stops. My nephew who lived with me before he joined the Army flies in helicopters in Afghanistan every day. May God bless the families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and may God be with those who still serve and I pray they can all come home soon.

    Report Post » LTinUT  
  • Rockinphil
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 11:14pm

    MARINE HELICOPTER CRASHES IN AFGHANISTAN, KILLS 6

    KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AP) — A NATO helicopter crashed in southern Afghanistan on Thursday, killing six members of the international military force, the U.S.-led coalition said.

    WTF? Which is it? Marines are not mentioned anywhere in the story.

    Report Post »  
  • yiska8
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 10:26pm

    We’re still losing them. What a show Barry and friends put on about bringing home the troops and timelines. The war never ends. Not this one. Blessings to the families and so much thanks and prayers for strength and love in this neverending time of war. God Bless.

    Report Post » yiska8  
  • reconmarine
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 10:04pm

    Semper Fi and Rest in Peace my Brothers. Guard the gates of heaven well because Obama is trying to take them down.

    Report Post »  
  • eagle2715
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 9:40pm

    God Speed Devil Dogs. The Marines at the gates will be there to welcome you.

    Semper Fi!

    Report Post » eagle2715  
  • Wigglesworth
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 9:14pm

    RIP. If they are Americans that brings the death toll so far this month to 20. That is the 3rd highest January death total since the war began and it is only January 19th. In 2008(Bush’s last year) the 20th American soldier KIA didn’t occur until late April.

    Report Post » Wigglesworth  
  • Judeo_Christian
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:35pm

    I pray for the family and the repose of the souls of these young men and women who protect our great country.

    May God’s eternal light shine upon them and grant them peace!

    Report Post » Judeo_Christian  
    • NOTAMUSHROOM
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 9:36pm

      Like Judeochristian said. Ditto.

      I’m very sad.

      Report Post »  
    • Darlie
      Posted on January 20, 2012 at 11:45pm

      Well said. Wish all were as gracious and kind as you.

      Report Post »  
  • guntotinsquaw
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:34pm

    May the rainbow touch your should on the last journey you have to make…Blessings to the four winds..stand tall and proud before the Creator as the Americans you all are. My heart is with the families..Thank you for what you have given our country.

    TEA

    Report Post » guntotinsquaw  
  • The-Monk
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:33pm

    “Marine Helicopter Crashes in Afghanistan, Kills 6″…

    Too bad the headline isn’t, “Marine One Helicopter Crashes in Afghanistan, Kills 6 including BHO and Biden.”

    Sorry, I just had to say it….

    Report Post » The-Monk  
    • UBETHECHANGE
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:47pm

      That is a real low life disgusting comment. I would expect that from the left.

      Report Post »  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:55pm

      @UBETHECHANGE
      Why?
      I can’t stand what BHO has done to this Country and I feel he will declare martial law before the 2012 elections and become a dictator. He will never be impeached and possibly never leave the White House. I would never threaten or harm him… but, I can dream of a day with him gone forever from Government and our lives.

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 10:22pm

      I dislike BHO, but way out of line. In my life, I hope we never have to bury a sitting President.

      Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • TSUNAMI-22
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 11:34pm

      @ Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra

      I dislike BHO, but way out of line. In my life, I hope we never have to bury a sitting President.
      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      I understand your reply, but would you rather we had a sitting president that continues to bury the country?

      We could use some divine intervention, Even if it’s in the form of enlightenment of the electorate.

      It’s time to call a spade, a spade.

      Report Post »  
    • MarineWife22709
      Posted on January 20, 2012 at 2:51am

      Your a dumb ass simple as that. My husband works on marine one so please remember when you make these comments your not only wishing for the president to be dead but marines as well. So I on the other hand am very thankful it was not marine one & that my daughter still has a father & I still have my husband.

      On another note: praying for the families of these fallen marines as their worst nightmares become reality. My heart goes out to each of you. Semper Fi.

      Report Post »  
  • mikee1
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:29pm

    The PC WARS OF THE RINO/DUMMYCRAP oligarchy continue to waste American lives and cost trillions. It all ends with MUSLIM/BROTHERHOOD SPRINGS.

    Report Post » mikee1  
  • Ruler4You
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:29pm

    I guess it’s safe to say Ron Brown (http://whatreallyhappened.com/RANCHO/POLITICS/BODIES.html) wasn’t on board.

    Report Post » Ruler4You  
  • MetalPatriot
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:19pm

    this blows

    Report Post » MetalPatriot  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:15pm

    Thanks for your sacrifice, hope to meet you on the otherside one day… God bless, Amen ….

    Report Post »  
  • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:13pm

    I don’t know about you all, but I am getting tired of burying our young men and women.

    Semper Fi. God Bless.

    Remember, in heaven, revelle isn’t played until 0800, God lets you sleep in.

    Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:47pm

      Ditto again…

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • TSUNAMI-22
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 11:27pm

      God bless their families. Knowing what those Marines must have had going through their minds during that event hopefully they didn’t suffer.

      Report Post »  
  • garygromele
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:07pm

    Pray for their family’s….

    Report Post » garygromele  

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