NATO Air Strikes Kill 74 Afghanis on July 27, 2008

NATO Air Strikes Kill 74 Afghanis on July 27, 2008

Editor's Note:

In previous cases, many Afghani civilians were killed in NATO air strikes despites claims to the contrary.

NATO Force Kills Four Civilians In Afghan South

July 26, 2008 By Reuters
KABUL --

NATO-led troops killed four Afghan civilians and wounded three more when their vehicle failed to stop at a checkpoint in the southern province of Helmand, the NATO force said.

Public anger over civilian deaths has grown after a string of incidents by international troops in the past month that Afghan officials say have killed more than 60 ordinary Afghans.

The vehicle was directed to stop as it approached a checkpoint in the Sangin district of Helmand Province on July 26 but drove on, the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said in a statement.

"ISAF soldiers fired warning shots in a safe direction away from the vehicle, but were eventually forced to fire at it when it refused to stop, fearing an insurgent attack," it said.

Most ISAF troops in Helmand are British.

"ISAF deeply regrets this unnecessary incident caused by the reckless actions of the vehicle driver. The incident will be investigated," it said.

Air strikes kill 50 to 70 (Taliban fighters) in Afghanistan

AFP
Sunday, July 27, 2008 11:58:24 AM Oman Time

KHOST:

Between 50 and 70 Taliban-linked fighters were killed in air strikes by international forces in eastern Afghanistan early Sunday, a provincial governor said.

The (Taliban fighters) had initially stormed a police post in Khost province near the border with Pakistan, killing two policemen, one of whom was beheaded, provincial governor Arsala Jamal told AFP.

International military aircraft were called in to strike back, he said.

"Taliban attacked one of our police posts. As they retreated, international military air forces came in and bombed them. Fifty to 70 Taliban have been killed," he said.

"They had killed one policeman in the initial attack and had captured another officer who was later beheaded," he said.

The governor said he had video footage of the rebels being killed in the strikes in Spera district, on the border.

"I can say with responsibility that 50 to 70 Taliban have been killed. We have video showing they were killed," he said, when asked how he knew how many had died.

The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force confirmed there had been action in the area but said it was too early to give details.

The rebels had been able to reach "very close" to the district headquarters before the air force arrived, the governor said. The air strikes were later halted to avoid civilian casualties after the militants moved into villages, he said.

Death toll of Afghan air strike rises to 70

www.chinaview.cn 2008-07-27 13:54:44

KABUL, July 27 (Xinhua) --

The death toll of air raids against Taliban fighters in Afghanistan's eastern Khost province Sunday has heightened to 70, provincial governor Arsalla Jamal said.

"In the successful air strikes and clash with the (Taliban fighters) in Spera district early this morning up-to 70 (of them allegedly) were killed," Jamal told Xinhua.

The (Taliban fighters), he added, crossed the border from Pakistan's tribal area of North Waziristan and stormed district headquarters at 2:30 a.m. local time, during which the headquarters had been slightly damaged.

Earlier, a military officer in the area Mohammad Israr put the number of Taliban casualties at 21.

However, the provincial governor confirmed that two police constables were killed and four others wounded in the firefight that lasted for a while.

On the other hand, Taliban purported spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid disputed the claim, adding no (Taliban fighters) had been killed in the battle.

Mujahid also claimed that eight policemen were killed and two police vans were destroyed in the conflict.

Meanwhile, the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force(ISAF) confirmed the clash, saying the operation in Spera district is still going on.

Afghan officials often accuse Pakistan of supporting the Taliban and describe the tribal area as a safe haven for militants, but Islamabad refutes the allegations as baseless.

Both Taliban and government officials often exaggerate the casualties on rival sides. Moreover, no independent sources were available to confirm the exact figure of casualties inflicted on both sides in the battle and air raids.

Editor: Du Guodong

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