US helicopter with 17 on board believed to have been shot down in Afghanistan/Brief

US helicopter with 17 on board believed to have been shot down in Afghanistan
U.S. Military confirms 17 servicemen, who's fate is still unknown, were onboard a CH-47 Chinook helicopter that has crashed near Asadabad, Afghanistan, on June 28, 2005.

A man claiming to be a spokesman for the Taliban, Abdul Latif Hakimi, reported the downing of the helicopter to offices in Kabul before news of the crash was released by the U.S. military.

The helicopter was transporting forces as part of ongoing operations to fight militants who operate in the area, and who have recently been escalating their attacks.

Coalition and Afghan troops were mobilized to secure the area, but rescue efforts are being met by bad weather and harsh terrain.