US Army Refutes Reports Of Taliban Shooting Down Helicopter In Southern Afghanistan

Helmand Afghanistan — The U.S. Army refuted reports that a helicopter was shot down by the Taliban in southern Afghanistan. In this photo, U.S. Marines prepare to depart upon the end of operations for Marines and British combat troops in Helmand province, Oct. 27, 2014. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

A U.S. Army spokesman refuted reports that the Taliban shot down a U.S. helicopter in southern Afghanistan. According to NBC News, the spokesman said that there were initial reports that a Resolute Support helicopter made hard landing in Helmand province, but no casualties were reported.

The U.S. Army spokesman also reportedly said that an investigation is underway into the incident, but "there was not enemy activity in the area."

Earlier, RT News reported that the plane was shot down in the Shawal Manda area of Nad Ali district in Helmand province, the largest province in Afghanistan. The Russian state news website also cited social media reports claiming that four American soldiers on board the helicopter were “killed on the spot.”

Resolute Support helicopter made hard landing in Helmand province just after midnight; no enemy activity or causalities, spox tells me
— Alexander Smith (@AlexSmithNBC) March 18, 2016