BEIJING, June 30 -- United States military officials say they believe all 17 soldiers aboard a special operations helicopter were killed, when their aircraft crashed earlier this week into a rugged mountain ravine in eastern Afghanistan.

    The Taliban has claimed shooting down the aircraft.

    Stormy weather hampered rescue efforts after the MH-47 helicopter crashed Tuesday. The helicopter was carrying forces fighting al-Qaida militants near the border with Pakistan.

    Regional reports say that the helicopter struck or landed badly on the side of a mountain, then went down into the ravine, suggesting little hope of survival.

    The crash is the deadliest blow yet to American forces in Afghanistan, already grappling with an insurgency that is widening rather than winding down.

(Source: CRIENGLISH.com)