The helicopter made an emergency landing in strong winds and heavy rain in a Taliban-controlled area south of Kabul, about 30 kilometers (18 miles) from the border with Pakistan. A spokesman for the Turkish Foreign Ministry said the passengers and pilots were in good health.

A representative of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force on Monday confirmed that the helicopter had gone down in eastern Afghanistan on Sunday, but provided no more details. All on board were civilians, and local media reported that the Turks were working on a construction project.    

Though Turkey has sent troops to the NATO campaign in Afghanistan, they do not participate in combat operations.

mkg/msh (AFP, Reuters, dpa, AP)