An army helicopter hit by gunfire in south Lebanon was targeted Hezbollah fighters who "thought it was an Israeli aircraft," Lebanese security sources said on Friday, reported dpa.
The helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqlim al Tuffah, an area controlled by the Shiite Hezbollah movement east of the southern port of Sidon, the sources said.
"Army investigators are almost certain the guns used to shoot at the helicopter were the same as those used by Hezbollah," the sources said.
The Lebanese army was still investigating Thursday's incident, which resulted in the killing of an army officer, Samer Hana.
The pro-Syrian daily As Safir said "the helicopter landed and took off again in a training exercise, prompting Hezbollah fighters to think an Israeli helicopter was attempting to land."
Sources close to Hezbollah said the group planned to issue a statement later Friday. Shortly after the helicopter was shot at, Hezbollah denied any responsibility.
The army said on Thursday the helicopter had made a forced landing after it came under fire from "armed elements."
The army deployed in southern Lebanon, along with a UN-reinforced peacekeeping force, after Israel's 33-day war with Hezbollah in 2006.
Despite the army presence, Hezbollah militiamen still maintain "unseen positions in the area" where they say they monitor Israeli activities on the other side of the fence.