Across Asia: Afghanistan

3rd crash for NATO forces

A British Tornado fighter jet crashed at a major NATO base in southern Afghanistan yesterday, officials said, the third aircraft mishap in as many days as foreign forces press their new offensives against the Taliban. British officials said the plane was not shot down and the crew was not seriously hurt. A civilian helicopter crash on Sunday claimed 16 lives and injured 5 others. With military casualties rising, Afghanistan's growing insurgency is also taking a heavy toll on civilians. In the remote west, 12 Afghan traders were killed when their van hit a roadside bomb most likely meant for Afghan or foreign troops.