By Xinhua,
Kabul : A U.S.-led Coalition helicopter made a precautionary landing in the Sabari district of eastern Afghanistan’s Khost province Monday morning but caused no injuries to the pilot, said a Coalition statement.
“The helicopter was preparing to attack an enemy mortar site near the center of Sabari district when a tail rotor blade struck the ground,” the statement said.
The helicopter, according to the statement, has minor damage while the pilot successfully landed the aircraft with no injuries.
The site is currently secured by Afghan and international forces and this incident is currently under investigation, it added.
The incident just came a day after a Mi-8 supply helicopter with the NATO-led International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) was forced to make an emergency landing in Kunar province, killing one service member and injuring three others.
The Taliban militants fighting the Afghan government and international troops claimed responsibility later the day, saying the outfit shot the NATO helicopter down.
A U.S. military helicopter was shot down by militants also in Kunar province, neighboring the restive Pakistan tribal areas in 2006, killing all 16 aboard.
Taliban insurgents who staged a violent comeback three years ago have intensified their activities across Afghanistan over the past weeks to mount pressure on the government despite around 70,000 foreign troops stationed in the war-torn country vowing to keep peace and help reconstruction here.
Conflicts and spiraling insurgency have claimed the lives of over 3,000 people so far this year.