KABUL, June 29 (Xinhuanet) -- A US Chinook helicopter that crashedin eastern Afghanistan was likely shot down by hostile fire, the US military said Wednesday.

    The US military said in a statement initial reports indicate the crash may have been caused by hostile fire and the fate of the service members is still unknown at this time.

    The helicopter crashed Tuesday when transporting additional forces into an area in Kunar province to support US operations against al Qaida fighters.

    The crash was the second of a Chinook helicopter in Afghanistan this year. In April, 18 US soldiers were killed as their helicopter downed in a sandstorm in southeastern Afghanistan. Enditem