Three US-led forces killed in Afghanistan aircraft crash

At least three US-led forces have been killed after their aircraft crashed in eastern Afghanistan, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) says.

“Two International Security Assistance Force service members and one ISAF civilian died following an aircraft mishap in eastern Afghanistan today,” NATO said in a statement.

Information regarding the cause of the crash, the soldiers’ identities and the exact location of the incident have not been released.

According to a defense official, the MC-12 reconnaissance aircraft crashed while it was carrying out a nighttime mission.

The deaths are among the first to be reported in 2014.

The announcement came as ISAF confirmed that “enemy action” had brought down a Blackhawk helicopter on December 17, 2013.

US military officials had initially said that the helicopter had had crashed due to mechanical failure. Six soldiers were killed in the crash.

The US and its allies invaded Afghanistan in October 2001. Although the Taliban was removed from power as a result of the invasion, foreign forces in Afghanistan have not been able to restore calm to the country.

NATO currently has more than 84,000 troops stationed in war-torn Afghanistan.