16 U.S. Troop Bodies Recovered

Killed In Helicopter Crash In Afghanistan

(CBS/AP) 
If the GIs aboard are confirmed dead, the crash would be the deadliest blow yet to American forces in Afghanistan, already grappling with an insurgency that is widening rather than winding down.

A storm that hampered rescuers from reaching the wreckage on Wednesday had passed by Thursday. Recovery operations have also been made difficult by the rugged terrain of the remote crash site, reachable only by foot, and the continued fighting with militants.

Officials in the United States said they knew of no communications from the crash site near Asadabad, in eastern Kunar province.

The shooting down of the helicopter has shocked many in Afghanistan who only months ago were predicting a relatively peaceful lead-up to landmark legislative elections in September. But after the crash and three months of unprecedented fighting that has left nearly 700 people dead, few here remain optimistic.

Logan reports that there has been increase in both the number of attacks and in the numbers of enemy fighters. She told Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith that it is all about the parliamentary elections coming up because they are for power at the local level and are critical to Afghanistan's future.

The loss of the helicopter follows three months of unprecedented fighting that has killed about 465 suspected insurgents, 43 Afghan police and soldiers, 125 civilians, and 29 U.S. troops. Afghan and American officials have predicted the situation will deteriorate before legislative elections are held in September.

The Taliban have stepped up attacks, and there are disturbing signs that foreign fighters — including al Qaeda — might be making a new push to sow mayhem. Afghan officials say the fighters have used the porous border with Pakistan to enter the country, and have called on the Pakistani government do more to stop them.

The crash was the second of a Chinook helicopter in Afghanistan this year. On April 6, 15 U.S. service members and three American civilians were killed when their chopper went down in a sandstorm while returning to the main U.S. base at Bagram.