BLOG:
http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2008/07/isaf_rejects_claims.php
“SAF rejects claims civilians killed in strike that killed two Taliban commanders”
By BILL ROGGIO
July 18, 2008 3:28 PM
ARTICLE SNIPPET: “The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) denied yesterday’s operation in western Afghanistan resulted in civilian deaths. The operation led to the killing of two Taliban leaders and the discovery of a makeshift jail.
ISAF said the claims made by a tribal elder and a district leader was “baseless” because Coalition aircraft were not operating near the villages where civilians were purportedly killed.
“ISAF has thoroughly investigated and rejects claims that ISAF forces killed more than 50 civilians in the Shindand area,” the Afghanistan command stated in a press release. “Our extensive investigation reveals that the closest airstrikes carried out were 13 km to the South East of these villages.”
Today’s denial is the second of its kind made this week by ISAF. Afghan officials said a July 14 airstrike in Nuristan and Kunar provinces killed 47 members of a wedding party. An ISAF investigation concluded that it did not kill the civilians as no aircraft were within 40 kilometers of the attack.”
Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.nato.int/isaf/docu/pressreleases/2008/07-july/pr080717-333.html
Topics
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)
18 July 2008
PR# 2008-333
ISAF rejects Farmakan and Bakhtabad villages civilian casualty claim
KABUL, Afghanistan - ISAF has thoroughly investigated and rejects claims that ISAF forces killed more than 50 civilians in the Shindand area. The claims originated in the media from the tribal elder Haji Zalmai and District Chief Mullah Lal Muhammad who said that more than 50 civilians had reportedly been killed in the villages of Farmakan and Bakhtabad on Thursday, July 17.
Our extensive investigation reveals that the closest airstrikes carried out were 13 km to the South East of these villages.
ISAF therefore rejects these claims as baseless.
ISAF always operates giving the highest importance to protecting civilians, and deeply regrets any instances where civilians are mistakenly injured or killed.
It should never be forgotten the insurgents use indiscriminate methods which inevitably lead to deaths of many innocent Afghans.
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Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.nato.int/isaf/docu/pressreleases/2008/07-july/pr080717-330.html
Topics
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)
17 July 2008
PR# 2008-330
Combined operation kills two Taliban leaders
KABUL, Afghanistan - The Afghan National Security Forces, supported by coalition forces, have conducted a successful operation against high priority Taliban targets in the Shindand district of Herat province July 17.
During the operation two Taliban leaders, Haji Dawlat Khan and Haji Nasrullah Khan, were confirmed killed. A significant number of other insurgents were also killed.
There is no evidence of any civilian casualties or accidental damage. During the operation a number of men were discovered hand-cuffed and imprisoned in appalling conditions in one of the insurgent compounds; they are now receiving medical care.