At least 17 civilians killed in NATO airstrike on Afghan village
17/10/2008 17:30
The NATO-led International Security Force (ISAF) in an airstrike against
Taliban militants in Nad Ali district of southern Afghanistan's Helmand province
killed at least 17 civilians yesterday, officials said today.
Assadullah
Shirzad, the provincial police chief told Xinhua that ISAF and Afghan National
Army (ANA) launched a massive oppression against Taliban militants in Nad Ali
district yesterday morning, killing a number of militants with the support of
airstrike.
"However, some death of civilians were also reported later the
day," Shirzad said.
He said that civilians from the bombarded village carried
dead bodies in two vehicles to the provincial government compound in the capital
city of Lashkar Gha.
Daud Ahmadi, the provincial spokesman confirmed that 17
civilians were killed in the explosion but he was reluctant to answer whether
the ill-fated civilians were killed by airstrike or other menace.
Hazrat
Shah, one of the villagers, told Xinhua reporters that a total of 25 civilians,
mostly women and children, were killed in the airstrike.
Meanwhile, ISAF in a
statement received in Kabul today confirmed there was an airstrike by its outfit
yesterday morning in Nad Ali district but failed to give any further
information.
"ISAF is aware of an incident involving an airstrike that took
place earlier yesterday in Nad Ali district of Helmand province," the statement
said, "This incident is being investigated and at this time we are unable to
confirm any civilian casualties."
Both the NATO-led peacekeeping
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and the US-led Coalition forces
have committed such "mistakes" during operations since their deployment nearly
seven years ago and claimed many civilian lives.
Killing of more than 90
civilians by US troops air raid in western Afghan province Herat in a single day
on Aug. 22 has drawn nationwide condemnations and demand for trial of those
responsible for the bloody incident.
The unrest southern Afghan province of
Helmand has seen the surge and attacks of Taliban militants over the past week
as over 118 militants were killed during the clashes.
Spiraling conflicts and
Taliban-linked insurgency have left more than 4,500 people with more than 1,500
civilians dead so far this year in Afghanistan while Taliban insurgents recently
vowed to intensify assaults against interests of Afghan government and
international troops before the coming winter.
Xinhua
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