Three Die in Afghan Helicopter Crash

Three people died when a civilian helicopter contracted to NATO forces crashed in flames in Afghanistan's southern Helmand province on Monday, officials said.

The aircraft had "gone down due to mechanical problems," said Daud Ahmedi, a spokesman for the provincial government.

"Three people on board died as a civilian helicopter crashed in flames in Nad Ali district near Shora," a security official told Agence France Presse on condition of anonymity.

Afghan police had earlier reported that a "foreign troops' helicopter" had crashed, and Taliban insurgents claimed they had shot it down.

But a spokesman for NATO's International Security Assistance Force said the aircraft belonged to a civilian company, which he named as AAR Airlift, which is based in the United States.

Ahmedi said the helicopter was doing contract work as a supply aircraft for NATO troops.