http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Jul2006/20060702_5561.html
Coalition in Afghanistan Rejects Reports on Civilian Casualties
American Forces Press Service
BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan, July 2, 2006 – News reports published June 30 that claimed coalition forces fired rockets in Afghanistan's Kunar province, allegedly killing a school headmaster and injuring two others, are false, military officials here said today.
A Combined Forces Command Afghanistan statement said the three people noted in news articles are, in fact, Taliban extremists responsible for conducting attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.
According to the statement, three extremists attacked a coalition patrol on a road in the province's Pech district June 29, and the soldiers responded with small-arms and mortar fire, all positively observed by coalition forces. The three extremists fled in a blue Hilux truck.
Later, a blue Hilux truck was reported to have delivered three men with gunshot wounds to the Asadabad hospital. One extremist died of his wounds. The other two were taken into custody by coalition forces and are being treated for their wounds in a coalition hospital.
The man who died was identified as Sayeed Alam, the nephew of a known Taliban commander in the Pech valley. Alam is known to be a member of a cell that plants roadside bombs, officials said. The wounded were also identified as known Taliban extremists. Their names are not being released for security reasons, officials said.
"These three men were without a doubt Taliban extremists and not innocent civilians," said Army Lt. Col. Paul Fitzpatrick, Combined Joint Task Force 76 spokesman. "Coalition forces make every effort to protect Afghan civilians and limit the possibility of civilian casualties. The coalition is improving the lives of Afghan people through reconstruction projects and civil and medical assistance visits to villages. The Taliban's only purpose is to stop progress and instill fear and intimidation."
(From a Combined Forces Command Afghanistan news release.)
SCHOOLS
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http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Jul2006/20060702_5562.html
Rocket Hits Kandahar Airfield; Enemy Continues to Target Civilians
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, July 2, 2006 – An investigation continues today into a June 30 rocket attack on Kandahar Airfield in southern Afghanistan that injured 10 people, military officials reported, while extremists continue to target Afghan civilians.
Three people were treated for their injuries and were released, officials said. Six people were reported to be in stable condition, and one person was in serious condition at the base hospital, officials said.
"Taliban extremists employ rockets in a manner that makes them highly erratic and inaccurate," said Army Lt. Col. Paul Fitzpatrick, Combined Joint Task Force 76 spokesman. "Unfortunately, this time a rocket caused damage and injury. The injured are receiving the best medical care available. Although (the incident is) tragic, our coalition partners will not be deterred in our joint mission to create a safe and secure environment in Afghanistan."
Meanwhile, extremists continue to target school children and other innocent civilians in attempts to terrorize the people of Afghanistan, officials said.
Six Afghan civilians were injured today when their vehicle struck a roadside bomb in Mest Village of the Yosef Khel district in Paktika province. A coalition patrol encountered the injured civilians and provided first aid until an ambulance arrived. Afghan police are investigating the incident.
In the Gardez district of Paktya province today, Afghan police discovered a makeshift bomb inside a school. A coalition explosive ordnance disposal team responded to the scene, disabling and removing the weapon.
An improvised explosive device was found yesterday in a village school west of Waza Khwa in the Yosef Khel district of Paktika province. Villagers reported to Afghan police and a coalition patrol that extremists had broken into the school and placed the device. A coalition EOD team disarmed and removed the weapon.
"IEDs are incredibly dangerous, indiscriminate killers," Fitzpatrick said. "The placement of these weapons in civilian areas only increases the chance they will maim, or even worse, kill Afghan citizens who are simply going about their day-to-day lives. Placing such destructive weapons near schools only highlights the desperation of extremists as they try to spread their message though fear."
(Compiled from Combined Forces Command Afghanistan news releases.)