Helicopter crash near site of US operations against Osama

A helicopter crashed near Abbottabad city in north-west Pakistan during an operation by US special forces that resulted in the killing of Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, Pakistani TV news channels reported today.

The military helicopter burst into flames after crashing into the compound of a house near Bilal Town area near Abbottabad, a short distance from the Pakistan Military Academy, the channels reported.

Two other helicopters participated in the operation during which some persons were killed and several foreign nationals, including women and children, were detained, the channels quoted sources as saying.

There was no official word on the development.

Several news channels beamed grainy footage of a burning helicopter on the empty lawn of the compound near Abbottabad, surrounded by security forces.

They also beamed footage of the home, set amidst agricultural fields, surrounded by Pakistani troops this morning.

Pashto-language Khyber TV channel reported that a helicopter shelled a house after suspected militants fired at it.

Local residents told the media they had seen helicopters flying over the area hours after the operation.