NATO-led troops kill Afghan woman

November 14, 2009

KABUL — NATO-led troops mistakenly killed a female civilian during an operation against militants in eastern Afghanistan, the force said Saturday.

The woman died during a raid against suspected militants by Afghan and international troops Friday in Zabul province, the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said in a statement.

"After repeated calls for occupants to exit one of the compounds, the joint force used an explosive charge to enter it. The charge inadvertently wounded an Afghan woman who was standing on the other side of the door," ISAF said.

She later died from her wounds, it said.

"The search of the compound resulted in a couple of enemy wounded in action and a handful of suspects detained."

In a separate incident, which occurred early Saturday, ISAF denied killing civilians but said an armed woman died during a clash with insurgents in Shindand district of western Herat province.

ISAF said a joint force of Afghan and international troops encountered resistance, killing one insurgent, during a search.

"The force was then fired upon while clearing the compound, and several armed insurgents were killed. One of the individuals killed was a woman who was armed," it said.

"The security force protected several women and children present in the compounds, and no civilians were harmed during the operation."

But Lal Mohammad Omarzai, the district governor, said three civilian members of one family were killed and three children wounded.

An AFP photographer saw three wounded children at the local hospital, where a doctor said they were hurt during a clash between US and Taliban fighters.

Omarzai said the civilian casualties came after patrolling American soldiers were attacked by Taliban who "were using a civilian house as their position."

Four Taliban militants were killed, he said.

Civilians are regularly caught in the crossfire as international forces battle a worsening Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan, provoking anger among the population and Afghan authorities.

Source: Uruknet.
Link: http://www.uruknet.de/?s1=1&p=60072&s2=17.