Afghan troops backed by U.S. special forces have stormed a hospital in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar where six heavily armed al-Qaida fighters have been holed up for the past two months.

All of the al-Qaida fighters were killed in the assault early Monday. Afghan officials say the six Arabs fought to the death despite repeated pleas that they surrender. They barricaded themselves in the hospital when anti-Taleban forces captured the city on December 7.

Five Afghan soldiers were wounded in Monday's assault. There were no U.S. casualties.

The al-Qaida fighters had managed to acquire weapons and swore not to be taken alive, fearing they would be turned over to U.S. forces. As many as 20 al-Qaida fighters were originally in the hospital. One killed himself with a grenade. The others escaped or were captured trying to escape the hospital.

Meanwhile, U.S. defense officials say an army helicopter has crashed in Afghanistan near the city of Khowst. Fourteen soldiers were injured, but none of the injuries are said to be life-threatening. There were 24 people on board the aircraft.

Also, Monday, U.S. defense officials dismissed reports that a raid on buildings north of Kandahar last week killed supporters of the new Afghan government and not Taleban soldiers.

A Pentagon spokesman said U.S. forces launched the raid after seeing what he called terrorist-like activities. He said the U.S. soldiers were fired upon and fired back in self-defense, killing at least 15 people.

The New York Times newspaper quotes local residents who called the raid a mistake. The Pentagon is questioning those captured in the raid to determine the identities of the dead.

Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.

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