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This is an archive article published on April 22, 2005

11 dead as rebels bring down copter

Guerrillas shot down a Bulgarian commercial helicopter in Iraq on Thursday, killing all 11 on board including six Americans, the aircraft&#1...

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Guerrillas shot down a Bulgarian commercial helicopter in Iraq on Thursday, killing all 11 on board including six Americans, the aircraft’s Bulgarian owner said.

The Russian-built Mi-8 Helicopter was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade as it flew over a deserted area north of Baghdad, Bulgarian officials and the US Military said. It was believed to be the first downing of a civilian aircraft in Iraq.

A militant group said it had shot down the helicopter. ‘‘The Islamic Army in Iraq claims responsibility for bringing down a … cargo aircraft and killing all those on board,’’ said the short posting on a website often used by Iraqi rebels. Authenticity of the statement could not be verified but it was posted by a user who often releases such statements. Insurgents frequently fire on US aircraft in Iraq. — Reuters

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