7 Marines aboard plane that crashes in Pakistan

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A U.S. military plane carrying seven Marines crashed Wednesday in Pakistan.

In a brief statement, U.S. Central Command did not say whether there were survivors. It said the names of the service members were being withheld until their relatives had been informed of the crash.

Central Command, which is responsible for U.S. military operations in Pakistan and the surrounding region, said in its statement that the KC-130 aircraft crashed as it was making its landing approach at a base in Shamsi in southwestern Pakistan.

The plane's flight originated in Jacobobad, Pakistan, and was making multiple stops, Central Command said. It crashed into a mountain.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

A Central Command spokesman, Maj. Brad Lowell, said there was no immediate indication of whether there were survivors.

The KC-130 is a $37 million plane routinely used by the Marine Corps for in-flight refueling of helicopters. It is also used for troop and cargo delivery, evacuation missions and special operations support. It carries a six-man crew of two pilots, a navigator, flight engineer, mechanic and loadmaster.