8 NATO service members injured as chopper makes hard landing in S. Afghanistan

Eight service members of NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) were injured as their helicopter which carried 19 people on board made hard landing in Taliban birthplace Kandahar province in southern Afghanistan Thursday, the military alliance said in a press release.

"The helicopter was involved in a joint Afghan and coalition operation when it made the landing. There were 19 people on the aircraft and all have been safely recovered," the press release added.

It confirmed that "eight coalition members were injured" and are being treated at an ISAF medical facility.

It said that coalition forces have secured the area.

The press release, however, ruled out any hostile fire and enemy activities in the incident, saying "Based on initial reports, the incident was not the result of enemy fire. An investigation into the cause of the incident is ongoing."

Taliban militants fighting Afghan and international troops have yet to make comments.

This is the second aircraft of NATO crashed in Afghanistan over the past two days.

In the previous incident a pilotless plane of NATO crashed in Afghanistan's northern Kunduz province on Wednesday.

Over 130,000-strong NATO troops with majority of them Americans have been stationed in the post-Taliban Afghanistan to ensure peace and stability.

Source:Xinhua