Military helicopter crash kills 17 soldiers

An Afghan military helicopter crashed in a remote region of southern Zabul province on Thursday, killing five pilots and 12 other soldiers, officials said.

The Defense Ministry said the crash was believed to be caused by a technical problem, but provided no further details.

Afzal Aman, the Defense Ministry's chief of operations, described it as "the worst calamity to hit the air force." He confirmed the casualty figure.