NATO Helicopter Crashes In Afghanistan

Afghan government officials say a NATO military helicopter crashed today in Maidan-Wardak Province to the southwest of Kabul. There was no immediate confirmation of casualties among those on board the helicopter or on the ground.

Shahidullah Shahid, a spokesman for Maidan-Wardak's provinical governor, says the crash happened as two Turkish helicopters were attempting to land at a Turkish-run Provincial Reconstruction Team -- a compound for NATO security forces and civilian reconstruction experts.

Shahid said one helicopter appears to have clipped a hillside near the compound, coming down in a nearby park known as the Women's Garden in Wardak city. The other helicopter landed safely.

Only women and their children are admitted to the Women's Garden -- giving women in the conservative Islamic community a public outdoor space where they won't be criticized for going without an all-encompassing burqa.

compiled from agency reports