DUBAI, May 31 (Reuters) - Afghanistan's Taliban said in a statement on the Internet on Thursday its fighters had downed a NATO military helicopter which crashed late on Wednesday.

"The mujahideen of the Islamic state downed the Chinook helicopter that belonged to the NATO occupiers yesterday evening using a new anti-aircraft missile," the group said in a statement posted on a Web site used by militant groups.

"More than 60 enemy soldiers were killed in this operation."

NATO said seven of its soldiers were killed in the crash. A Chinook can carry 28 combat-equipped troops, a U.S. military official said.

Alliance officials said earlier Taliban fire might have brought down the military helicopter in the Helmand province in southern Afghanistan.

Since a winter lull, the Taliban have launched a series of suicide attacks, roadside bombs and ambushes against foreign and Afghan forces.

Helmand is a long-time bastion of the Taliban.

Taliban leaders have threatened in recent weeks to step up attacks on foreign troops and said they have trained hundreds of suicide bombers.

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