KABUL, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Afghan Air Force destroyed a helicopter after the chopper made a crash landing in the country's eastern Paktika province on Thursday night, the country's Defense Ministry confirmed on Friday.
"A MI 17 helicopter of Afghan National Army (ANA) Air Force made an emergency landing in Ziruk district, Paktika province last might. The crew and military personnel aboard the helicopter did not hurt during the incident," the ministry said in a statement.
The statement ruled out insurgents' activities at the area, saying a mechanical failure had caused the incident in the mountainous province, 155 km south of Kabul.
"After it has been assessed that the helicopter cannot be repaired, the chopper was destroyed by Air Force," the statement noted.
The army was investigating the circumstances of the incident to determine more facts and would release relevant details as appropriate, according to the statement.
The incident occurred as violence has been on the rise, as Afghan security forces are fighting against a surge in attacks by Taliban militants since the drawdown of foreign forces five years ago.
On Wednesday, two Afghan air force pilots were killed when an army helicopter crashed in western Farah province.
