Afghan officials: Military chopper crashes, killing 7

KABUL – Officials say an Afghan army helicopter has crashed in northern Balkh Province, leaving at least seven army personnel, including the crew members, dead.

Mohammad Afzel Hadid, head of the provincial council in Balkh, says that Tuesday’s late afternoon crash was the result of a technical problem on the outskirts of Mazar-e Sharif, the capital of Balkh.

Hadid said the mishap was not caused by enemy fire and that area has no insurgent activity.

Hanif Rezaie, spokesman for the army crops in northern Balkh, also confirmed the crash of the chopper near the Hairatan area outside the city.

He says an investigation is going on to find out what cause the crash.