Troops Push Toward Afghan Crash Site of U.S. Helicopter

Late Wednesday, Yonts said a "large, aggressive ground force" of American troops was moving toward the crash site in an effort to rescue any surviving troops. He said U.S. forces had been able to see but not approach the downed helicopter.

"I don't want you to think they are just out there all by themselves," he said. "We are fighting our way to that helicopter." He added that there was also "active air cover" in the area but that the high elevation and a storm had impeded the rescue mission.

Yonts said the Chinook had taken small-arms fire but that it remained unclear what caused the crash. "It could have been anything from hostile fire to they were maneuvering from hostile fire and struck a tree," he said.

The governor of Konar, Asadullah Wafa, said the area has been a haven for al Qaeda members. Fighters linked to the Taliban, as well as loyalists of Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, a former minister who is now a fugitive opponent of the U.S.-backed government in Kabul, are also reportedly operating in the territory.

Wafa said fighters rarely stayed overnight in the harsh terrain where the fighting took place. "They come in to attack, and then they rush back into Pakistan," he said. In recent weeks, he added, militia attacks have killed as many as 15 people.

The U.S. operation in Konar is part of a larger spring campaign by U.S. and Afghan forces to flush out fighters from hideouts in the east and south of Afghanistan. Despite heavy losses, the militiamen have shown themselves to be hardy, well-equipped fighters who can wage battles for hours. There are about 18,000 U.S. troops in the country.

Staff writer Bradley Graham in Washington contributed to this report.