12 Turkish soldiers killed in Kabul helicopter crash, army confirms

KABUL

AA photo

Turkish General Staff confirmed today that 12 Turkish soldiers were killed in a helicopter crash in the Afghan capital of Kabul.

The crash occurred when the helicopter asked for permission to conduct an emergency landing due to technical problems but failed to complete the maneuver, according to NATO sources. Two majors and a first lieutenant were among those on board. 

The General Staff confirmation was published on the General Staff's official website, saying a Sikorsky helicopter from Kabul Regional Command crashed due to reasons yet unknown.

The helicopter belonged to Turkish military, the Associated Press reported. 

There were unconfirmed reports of civilian deaths, which said two women and two children died in the house on which the helicopter crashed.

Unlike other European members of the NATO-led coalition, Turkey's mission is limited to patrols and its soldiers do not take part in combat operations.
 
In January, six U.S. Marines were killed in a helicopter crash in southern Afghanistan, which followed the death of 30 American personnel, including 22 Navy SEAL commandos, in eastern Afghanistan in August last year.

Compiled from Reuters, AP and AFP by the Daily News staff.