2nd LD: Turkish military helicopter downed, 2 pilots killed

ANKARA, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- A Turkish military T129 ATAK helicopter was shot down in Turkey's southern province of Hatay during Operation Olive Branch, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed on Saturday.

"The perpetrators will pay a heavy price for downing the Turkish helicopter, and that losses such as this incident are expected to happen in battle time," he said.

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim told journalists in southwestern Mugla province that two pilots were killed in the incident, reported local TV channel CNN Turk.

It was not certain at this point whether the incident occurred due to an external impact or not. Investigations were ongoing, Yildirim said. Enditem