An army helicopter with 25 people including provincial officials onboard crashed into the ground in western Farah province after taking off from an army base, officials said. Authorities said all the people on board were dead
Spokesman for Farah governor, Naser Mehri,said two military helicopters were en route when one of them lost control and crashed somewhere between Shindand district of Herat and a remote district of Farah province.
He said all 25 aboard including Deputy Commander of Zafar Corps General Nematullah Khalil, Farah Provincial Council Head Farid Bakhtawar and councilmember Jamila Amini died in the crash.
He said helicopter crashed in bad weather. Reports, however, suggested the chopper collided with a mountain.
But, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the militants shot the chopper down.