US Airstrikes Kill 30 Afghan Civilians, Officials Say
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published November 03, 2016 | 07:45 PM
KUNDUZ, Afghanistan,, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 03rd Nov, 2016 ) - US airstrikes early Thursday killed at least 30 Afghan civilians, including women and children, in the volatile northern province of Kunduz, officials said, after a Taliban assault left two American soldiers dead.
The airstrike triggered emotionally-charged protests in the provincial capital, with the victims' relatives parading mutilated bodies of dead children piled into open trucks through the streets of Kunduz city.
The carnage underscores worsening insecurity after the Taliban last month overran Kunduz city for the second time in a year, as NATO-backed Afghan forces struggle to rein in the insurgents. Afghan forces and coalition troops were conducting a joint operation against the Taliban on the outskirts of the city when they came under insurgent fire, prompting calls for air support.
"In the bombardment 30 Afghan civilians were martyred and 25 others were wounded," provincial spokesman Mahmood Danish told AFP. Police spokesman Mahmoodullah Akbari gave the same toll to AFP, adding that the dead included infants aged as young as three months and other children.
"They were asleep when their house came under attack by coalition troops," Akbari said.
In a brief statement on Twitter, NATO conceded that US forces were behind the airstrike. "Airstrikes were conducted in #Kunduz to defend friendly forces under fire.
All civilian casualty claims will be investigated," it said. Taza Gul, a 55-year-old labourer, was among dozens of angry protesters outside the Kunduz governor's office, bringing with him the bodies of seven dead family members in a motorised tricycle.
"I am devastated. I want to know, why these innocent children were killed? Were they Taliban?" said Gul. "No, they were innocent children." Civilian caused by NATO forces have been one of the most contentious issues in the 15-year campaign against the insurgents, prompting strong public and government criticism.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said he was "deeply saddened" by the killings, while urging the military to do everything possible to prevent civilian casualties. "The enemies of Afghanistan's people use civilian houses in Kunduz as shields, resulting in the killing of a number of our countrymen, including women and children," the presidential palace said in a statement.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 5 May 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 05 May 2024
Bugti assures transporters for addressing their problems
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar meets foreign min ..
3 drug peddlers arrested, hashish recovered
1496,990 children given polio drops in five days: DC
Six terrorists killed, hideout busted in N Waziristan IBO: ISPR
Pakistan, Qatar agree to further expand trade, investment ties
Sindh cabinet approves Rs177.5m to strengthen, mobilize various wings of police
Faisal Karim Kundi takes oath as new KP Governor
Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Chaudhry seeks more vibrant ..
Tahaffuz Manzil Foster Home providing care & support to homeless children
More Stories From World
-
Giddy Rio braces for huge Madonna show on Copacabana beach
8 minutes ago -
Verstappen takes pole in Miami after sprint race win
18 minutes ago -
Swiatek finds Nadal inspiration to win 'crazy' Madrid Open title
18 minutes ago -
'Hypnotised' Wilson into second World Snooker final
18 minutes ago -
Floods in southern Brazil force 70,000 from homes
18 minutes ago -
Mystik Dan wins 150th Kentucky Derby thriller
18 minutes ago
-
Champions Inter stunned again by safety-seeking Sassuolo
48 minutes ago -
Real Madrid claim 36th Spanish title after Girona stun Barca
58 minutes ago -
Cullen glad Leinster 'got over the line' in Champions Cup semi-final thriller
58 minutes ago -
Ben Yedder scores twice as Monaco close in on Champions League return
58 minutes ago -
London mayor Khan wins historic third term as Tories routed in local polls
1 hour ago -
Football: French Ligue 1 results - collated
8 hours ago