Afghan special forces helicopter crash lands, 9 dead

Nine people were killed when an Afghan Air Force helicopter crashed in the country's eastern Wardak province, the Ministry of Defense confirmed on Thursday.

The Mi-17 helicopter crashed in Bihsud district of Wardak on Wednesday night, killing four crews and five Afghan National Army soldiers, the ministry said in a statement.

The army was investigating the accident and would release relevant details as appropriate, the statement added.

At least 10 Afghan Air Force helicopters crashed last year across the conflict-torn country.

In November, a crew and a police officer were killed when an Mi-17 chopper crashed in eastern Nangarhar province, while nine Afghan military personnel died when two Mi-17 helicopters crashed in southern Helmand province in October.