Nato copter shot down, 4 dead

A Nato helicopter was shot down in southern Afghanistan on Wednesday, killing four troops, the alliance said. The helicopter was brought down by hostile fire in volatile Helmand province, Nato said. It gave no other details.
Taliban spokesman Qari Yousef Ahmadi claimed responsibility on behalf of the insurgents, saying militants shot down the helicopter with two rockets. Insurgents have stepped up attacks ahead of the planned Kandahar operation.