Copter Crash in Kashmir Kills Musharraf's Guards

A helicopter escorting Pervez Musharraf crashed near Pakistan’s border today, killing four and injuring eight others, including the newly reelected president’s spokesman. Authorities denied any terrorist involvement, blaming the crash on engine failure. Witnesses reported hearing a loud bang and speculated that it may have been a missile attack, the London Times reports.

The region is well secured, so any attacker would have needed inside help. The helicopter was one of many decoys Musharraf employs; he was in another copter, which landed safely. Nearby villagers saw the helicopter crash and rushed to pull victims from the wreckage, rescuing three. Others, including the spokesman, saved themselves, leaping from the falling craft before impact. (More Pakistan stories.)