The New Nation - Internet Edition

Agency

At least seven US soldiers have lost their lives in eastern Afghanistan after their aircraft were hit by enemy fire, US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said.

At least six were killed when their army helicopter was shot down and another died when a second helicopter was hit, although that aircraft managed to get away.

Ten US soldiers were also wounded in the shoot-down, which happened at about 2230 EST on Monday.

US President George W Bush "regretted" the loss of life, his spokesman told a news conference. But he felt that "there will be casualties on behalf of a very important cause, to protect our freedoms and to root out terrorism".

The helicopter that was shot down was a MH-47 special operations Chinook helicopter, thought to be carrying up to 24 troops, which was taking part in operations against suspected al-Qaeda and Taleban fighters in mountains south of Gardez in Paktia province.