AFGHANISTAN-ATTACK/AFTERMATH Afghan soldiers killed in Nato 'friendly fire' incident

Record ID: 146620

  • Title: AFGHANISTAN-ATTACK/AFTERMATH Afghan soldiers killed in Nato 'friendly fire' incident
  • Date: 20th July 2015
  • Summary: LOGAR, AFGHANISTAN (JULY 20, 2015) (REUTERS) VARIOUS AFGHAN ARMY SOLDIERS GATHERED NEAR OUTPOST ACCIDENTALLY BOMBED BY NATO STRIKE AFGHAN ARMY SOLDIER WITH MACHINE GUN STANDING NEXT TO THE BODIES OF HIS COLLEAGUES IN BACK OF AMBULANCE VARIOUS COVERED BODIES IN BACK OF AMBULANCE AMBULANCE WITH BODIES INSIDE STARTING TO DRIVE AWAY FROM THE AREA AMBULANCE DOORS BEING CHECKED
  • Embargoed: 4th August 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Afghanistan
  • Country: Afghanistan
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA13HF7ZD3IBV6O9B3I8VR2VTMH
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: At least seven Afghan soldiers were killed in a "friendly fire" incident on Monday (July 20) when NATO forces mistakenly launched an air strike on their army outpost in eastern Afghanistan, Afghan officials said.
    A U.S. military official in Kabul confirmed the strike and said the international coalition was investigating the incident.
    American war aircraft and remotely piloted drones still carry out strikes in Afghanistan, targeting Taliban and other militants even after most foreign forces withdrew at the end of last year.
    Monday's early morning air strike was in Baraki Barak district of Logar province, just south of the capital Kabul, where Taliban insurgents frequently launch assaults on Afghan forces.
    "The coalition forces bombarded Cheltan area in Baraki Barak district. As a result of the air strike seven soldiers were martyred and five others wounded. We were quick to learn from the incident and we immediately started co-ordination to carry out the martyred and wounded from the area," Logar Police Chief Mohammad Dawood Ahmadi said.
    General Abdul Raziq, a senior Afghan National Army commander in Logar said an investigation had been instigated.
    A later statement by Afghanistan's Ministry of Defence said that helicopters belonging to the U.S.-led military coalition had come under enemy attack in the area and returned fire, mistakenly hitting the army post.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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