US Forces Deny Civilians Killed in Afghan Raid
By VOA News
17 December 2008
The U.S. military said Afghan police and U.S. troops have killed three insurgents with links to al-Qaida, denying local claims that the victims were civilians.
The military said security forces shot dead two men and one woman when the suspects fired on U.S.-led forces during an operation in eastern Khost province.
Military officials said security forces captured several other suspected militants in the raid, including a man believed to be in direct contact with al-Qaida leaders outside Afghanistan.
But witnesses said all of those killed were civilians.
It was not immediately possible to reconcile the conflicting claims.
Civilian deaths at the hands of international troops have caused tension between the Afghan government and western governments. Afghan President Hamid Karzai has repeatedly called on international forces to do all they can to prevent civilian casualties during military operations.
Tuesday, the U.S. military announced it is working with Afghan officials to investigate clashes last week that may have led to the deaths of three civilians.
A military statement said there are unconfirmed reports that two men and one woman were killed last Wednesday in an exchange of fire between coalition forces and unidentified attackers in Uruzgan province.
A coalition spokesman, Colonel Jerry O'Hara, said the U.S. military regrets any loss of innocent life and offers condolences to the victims' families.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.
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