Eight American soldiers have been killed and fourteen injured following the crash of a coalition forces helicopter in Afghanistan. A search is underway to find the craft that crashed in a Taliban stronghold in the southeastern Zabul province. US commanders say the crew reported engine problems before it came down. Officials did not say exactly where the crash happened, or what type of helicopter was involved.

Some media reports said it was a Chinook, a twin-rotor craft used for ferrying troops and equipment. Taliban fighters have claimed they shot the aircraft down with a missile. They have made similar claims in the past that were substantiated on only one occasion. In that incident 17 people were killed.

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