On August 6, an Afghan military helicopter crashed in Zabul province, the site of several Taliban attacks in recent times. Officials confirmed that 17 soldiers were killed.

An Afghan army helicopter. Photo AFP.

According to local media, immediately after the incident, the Taliban claimed they shot down the helicopter, but the Zabul governor denied this.

AP quoted Zabul provincial police chief Mirwais Noorzai as saying the cause of the accident was unknown and authorities were investigating.

Meanwhile, the Afghan Defense Ministry said the helicopter crashed due to a technical problem but did not provide further details.

This is one of the worst accidents for the Afghan military since the US and NATO ended their combat mission in the country at the end of last year, shifting to a support and training role for the Afghan army.

Meanwhile in Logar province, a suicide bomber detonated a car bomb outside the provincial government office, killing eight people and wounding 12. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, saying they would continue to attack military and paramilitary units.

According to TTO