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Global

Afghan insurgents down helicopter; 4 foreign troops killed


    KABUL (Reuters) - At least four foreign service members of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) for Afghanistan were killed on Wednesday when their helicopter was brought down by insurgent fire, the alliance said.

    At least 17 foreign servicemen have been killed this week alone as the Taliban step up an insurgency they have waged since being overthrown in a U.S.-led invasion in 2001.

    Dawood Ahmadi, a spokesman for Helmand's governor, said the chopper was hovering at low altitude, giving air support to ground troops, when it was hit by a rocket propelled grenade.

    ISAF would only say the incident happened in southern Helmand province.

    As standard practice, the names and nationalities of ISAF casualties are only released, by their home countries.

    Over 1,800 foreign troops have died in Afghanistan since 2001. Scores more Afghan security forces, civilians and insurgents have been killed.