You're reading: Four Tajik soldiers killed in Afghan chopper crash

DUSHANBE, Tajikistan (AP) — Tajikistan's Defense Ministry says one of its helicopters has crashed in neighboring Afghanistan, killing four air force officers while performing a support operation for the international military coalition.

The ministry said in a statement Monday that the helicopter was delivering humanitarian supplies to mountain communities in Afghanistan when it crashed Saturday.

That account appears to contradict information provided by United States military contractor Supreme Group, which stated that the helicopter was carrying food and water to U.S. forces.

Supreme said the helicopter was operated by a company called Central Asian Aviation Services,

It is unclear if the Tajik air force leased its craft and provided the services of its military personnel to the U.S. contractor.