Military

DATE=07/01/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=AFGHAN/ATTACK (L-O)

NUMBER=2-291627

BYLINE=NANCY-AMELIA COLLINS

DATELINE=KABUL

CONTENT=

VOICED AT

INTRO: An unknown number of Afghans were killed Monday when U-S jets and helicopter gunships mistakenly struck civilians in southern Afghanistan. More on the story from Nancy-Amelia Collins in Kabul

TEXT: U-S military spokesman Colonel Roger King, at Bagram airbase, just north of the capitol of Kabul, says an AC-130 gunship and a B-52 bomber launched an attack after coming under heavy fire. Other military sources say the incident occurred when a bomb went astray.

Colonel King says there were "some civilian casualties" and four people who were injured are being treated by U-S forces. But he says U-S military does not have a casualty figure. The military spokesman expressed "deepest sympathies" to those who lost loved ones.

Colonel King notes the conflicting reports of what happened and says an investigation will be launched.

One account is that a house was hit, where a wedding was being celebrated in the southern Afghan village of Kakarak, in Uruzgan province, approximately 280 kilometers south-west of Kabul.

Bis Mullah, Communication chief of Uruzgan province, says Afghans were firing their weapons in the air in traditional celebration of the wedding, when U-S planes attacked, killing at least 40 people and injuring 70.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai announced he is sending a four member commission to the area, where U-S troops have been searching for Al-Qaeda and Taliban forces. He says the commission is to prepare a report on loss of life and property in the incident, distribute emergency assistance to victims and to report back as soon as possible. (signed)

NEB/NAC/FC