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Helicopter, which crashed in Afghanistan belonged to the Tajik Air Force

A combat helicopter Mi-8, which crashed in the Afghan province of Zabol on February 11, belonged to the Air Force of Tajikistan

DUSHANBE, February 13 (Itar-Tass) —— A combat helicopter Mi-8, which crashed in the Afghan province of Zabol on February 11, belonged to the Air Force of Tajikistan, the press service of the Tajik Defence Ministry officially confirmed on Monday. All the four helicopter crewmen were citizens of Tajikistan, it said.

Since May 2011, the helicopter had been delivering foodstuffs and drinking water to the remote provinces in the Afghan highlands.

The Tajik side reported with reference to the Afghan military sources and ISAF representatives that the tragic incident might have been a result of bad weather conditions in the area where the helicopter crashed. An investigation into the causes of the helicopter's crash continues.

Representatives of the Tajik Defence Ministry are taking part in the investigation. The names of the helicopter pilots have not been announced yet.