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Afghan Officials Say Civilians Killed During NATO Operation

By Ayaz Gul
Islamabad
26 October 2006

NATO warplanes reportedly have killed dozens of civilians during bombing in southern Afghanistan. NATO officials say the operation targeted insurgent bases and killed 48 militants. But local Afghan leaders and witnesses say the victims were civilians, including women and children.

The incident happened in southern Afghanistan's volatile Panjwai district, where witnesses say NATO planes bombed residential houses for several hours Tuesday, causing the deaths.

A NATO statement, issued late Wednesday, said an estimated 48 militants were killed in heavy fighting in the area. But the alliance also said that there were credible reports of civilian casualties.

U.N. officials in Afghanistan also have expressed concern over the reported civilian deaths and have urged a speedy and thorough investigation.

The Afghan defense ministry has sent a team to the southern Kandahar province to investigate civilian deaths. A NATO spokesman, Mark Laity, says the alliance will fully cooperate with the Afghan authorities to determine the truth.

"We have in some respects a better idea of what we did," he said. "What is unclear is at the other end whether there were civilian casualties. And we rely much more on the Afghans to find that information, share it with us and then we can discuss how to move forward."

The district of Panjwai is located in southern Kandahar province. NATO forces carried out a major anti-insurgent operation in the area last month, killing as many as 500 Taleban militants.

Fighting between insurgents and foreign troops in Afghanistan has led to civilian deaths in the past, but if confirmed the latest casualties would be the highest civilian death toll since a U.S.-led international force ousted the Taleban from power in late 2001.

Reports say up to 3,000 people have been killed in the past five years, mainly insurgents, but also many civilians and dozens of foreign soldiers.

NATO's commander in Afghanistan, General David Richards, has warned the next six months will be crucial, saying Afghans could turn to the Taleban if they did not see promised development delivered.