KABUL - Afghan army, backed by NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), have eliminated 189 Taliban insurgents throughout the country between July 23 and August 10, Afghan Defense Ministry spokesman said on Wednesday.

"Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers during independent and joint operation with ISAF troops have killed 189 militants and detained 380 more insurgents all over the country in the past 19 days," General Zahir Azimi told a joint press conference with ISAF spokesman Brigadier General Carsten Jacobson here.

The ANA also defused 167 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and seized 209 pieces of weapons and 22 vehicles over the same period, Azimi added.

Briefing reporters on ANA casualties, Azimi said 62 army personnel were killed and 179 others injured over the same period.

Regarding the August 6 Nato helicopter crash, the ISAF spokesman said an investigation is still underway to determine the exact cause of the crash.

"As you're aware, it has been reported that the helicopter was fired on by an insurgent rocket-propelled grenade. We can still not confirm that this was the cause of the crash," Carsten Jacobson said. ? ?

The NATO's CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed in Tangi Valley of Sayyidabad district in Wardak province west of capital Kabul. ? ?

The victims of Saturday's crash include 30 U.S. soldiers, a local interpreter and seven Afghan commandos. The incident represents the highest number of the U.S. forces killed during a single event since the war on terror began in Afghanistan in October 2001.

Taliban claimed responsibility for shooting down the helicopter in Wardak province.