AVA - Twenty-five people killed in Afghanistan army helicopter crash

The Taliban claimed responsibility, but officials say the helicopter hit a mountain peak in poor weather.

Twenty-five people have been killed after an Afghan army helicopter crashed in bad weather.

The crash happened in the western Farah province, which borders Iran.

All 25 people on board were killed, including the deputy commander of the western zone, a provincial spokesman said.
General Naimudullah Khalil died alongside two members of the Farah provincial council, including chairman Farid Bakhtawar.
Mohammad Naser Mehri, spokesman for the Farah governor, said the helicopter crashed shortly after taking off from the mountainous Anar Dara district at around 9.10am (4.40am GMT).
It was heading towards nearby Herat province.

The Taliban claimed its militants brought it down, while provincial council member Dadullah Qaneh said the helicopter hit a mountain peak in poor weather.