AP
 
Kandahar, Sep 3: A NATO plane crashed on Saturday, killing 14 Britons in the worst loss of life for the alliance since it took control of the fight against insurgents in south Afghanistan a month ago.

 
The crash came a day after fighting across the volatile south killed nine Afghan policemen, at least 13 suspected Taliban and a British soldier.

A purported Taliban spokesman claimed guerrillas shot the plane down in Kandahar province with a Stinger missile, but British Defence Secretary Des Browne said the crash appeared to be "a terrible accident."

Abdul Manan, a witness in Chalaghor village, said the plane crashed about 100 yards from his home, and pieces of wreckage landed nearby. He reported seeing a small fire at the back of the plane before it hit the ground with a huge explosion that "shook the whole village."

Afghan and NATO troops are conducting a major operation against insurgents in Panjwayi district, where Chalaghor is located, but Manan said the fighting was centered about six miles from the village.

The "aircraft was supporting a NATO mission. It went off the radar and crashed in an open area" about 12 miles west of Kandahar city, said Maj Scott Lundy, spokesman for NATO's International Security Assistance Force.

A NATO statement said the plane's crew reported a technical problem before going down. It said that "enemy action has been discounted at this stage."

The British Ministry of Defence said the dead included 12 Royal Air Force personnel, a Royal Marine and an army soldier.