NATO probes Afghan police deaths in US airstrike in E Afghanistan
Iran Press TV
Fri Aug 2, 2013 3:52PM GMT
The US-led NATO military alliance says it has launched an investigation into tragic deaths of at least five Afghan policemen in a recent US airstrike in the volatile eastern Afghanistan.
Master Sergeant Bryan Gatewood, a spokesman for NATO said the Western military coalition had launched a full inquiry into the unfortunate incident.
'An investigation is ongoing to determine additional details of this unfortunate incident,' Gatewood said.
Gatewood also confirmed that the policemen were killed in the US airstrike after Afghan special forces called for air support during a series of violent clashes with the Taliban militants in Nangarhar Province on Wednesday night.
'A US aircraft engaged, inadvertently killing five Afghan National Police members,' Gatewood added.
This comes after a series of US airstrikes claimed the lives of more than 100 people and severely injured several others in different regions of Afghanistan over the past few days.
Many civilians have lost their lives in US-led strikes and operations in various parts of Afghanistan over the past decade, with Afghans becoming increasingly outraged at the seemingly endless number of the deadly assaults.
Civilian casualties caused by foreign forces have been a major source of tension between Kabul and Washington.
The latest deadly airstrikes come at a time when Washington has been locked in negotiations with Kabul over a strategic partnership beyond 2014.
Afghan political figures have also heaped scorn on US-led forces for committing unforgivable crimes against Afghan women and children since invading the country in 2001.
President Karzai recently said his government would only sign the deal if it led to a stronger, safer, and more united Afghanistan.
JR/SS
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