Afghan troops killed as helicopters crash amid Taliban offensive in Helmand

KABUL, Afghanistan — Nine Afghan troops were killed when two helicopters collided in Helmand province, where fierce fighting between government forces and the Taliban has forced thousands from their homes and led to targeted airstrikes by the U.S. against the militant group, officials and media reports said Wednesday. Technical problems caused two Soviet-era Mi-17 helicopters to collide and crash as they took off in Nawa district, just south of the provincial...