Taliban downed US copter in December: ISAF

The US-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) has confirmed that Taliban-linked militants brought down a US military helicopter in southern Afghanistan in December.

Six US troops were killed in the incident, which occurred in Zabul province on December 17, AFP reported on Thursday.

US military officials had initially said that the Blackhawk chopper went down due to a mechanical failure.

“The families of the soldiers killed in the December 17 helicopter crash have been notified that enemy action caused the crash and loss of life,” ISAF said in a statement.

“The investigation is ongoing, and more details will be provided when the investigation is complete,” the statement added.

The incident was the single deadliest day for US forces in Afghanistan since a helicopter crash killed seven Americans and four Afghans in August 2012.

The United States and its allies entered the war in Afghanistan in October 2001 as part of Washington’s so-called war on terror. The offensive removed the Taliban from power, but after more than 12 years, the foreign troops have still not been able to establish security in the country.