US-led coalition chopper crashes in Afganistan

KABUL, Feb 18 (Reuters) A helicopter from Afghanistan's US-led coalition force crashed today after reporting an engine failure, the coalition said, but it did not say if there were any casualties.

A search and rescue operation for the helicopter and its occupants had been launched, the US -led force said in a statement.

It said the helicopter crashed in a southeastern area. It did not say what type of helicopter had crashed or how many people were on board.

The helicopter went down near a road in Shah Joy district of the province of Zabul, residents there said. Taliban insurgents are active in the southern province on the border with Pakistan.

International forces have lost several helicopters in recent years but only one was believed to have been shot down. That aircraft was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade as it was coming in to land during a clash.

REUTERS PB PM1026