BEIJING, June 30 -- US military officer says the Chinook helicopter that crashed in Afghanistan on Tuesday was probably shot down by hostile fire.

    All 17 crewmembers on board are feared dead.

    Coalition spokesman Colonel James Yontson said so Wednesday, when giving investigation result of the crash.

    "Initial reports indicate the crash may have been caused by hostile fire. The status of the service members remain unknown still at this time. Coalition and Afghan national forces have moved into positions around the crash site to block enemy movement toward or away from the site," Colonel James Yontson said. 

    The Taliban claimed to have attacked the aircraft.

    If confirmed, Tuesday's attack would be the first time a U.S.-led coalition aircraft in the region to have been taken down by hostile fire. Thus representing a major new threat to the coalition.

    The troops were on a mission against al-Qaida fighters when the helicopter went down in mountainous terrain.

    More than 660 people have been killed in Afghanistan since March ¡ª including over 400 suspected insurgents, 29 U.S. troops, and over 100 civilians.

(Source: CRIENGLISH.com)