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Seventeen civilians killed in Afghanistan's Helmand | Seventeen civilians killed in Afghanistan's Helmand |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Seventeen civilians have been killed by Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan's southern Helmand province, reportedly for attending a party. | Seventeen civilians have been killed by Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan's southern Helmand province, reportedly for attending a party. |
The bodies of two women and 15 men were found by the side of a road in the Musa Qala district. | The bodies of two women and 15 men were found by the side of a road in the Musa Qala district. |
They were either beheaded or had had their throats cut. Some showed signs of beatings or had gunshot wounds. | They were either beheaded or had had their throats cut. Some showed signs of beatings or had gunshot wounds. |
Meanwhile, 10 Afghan army soldiers were killed in a Taliban attack in the same province. | Meanwhile, 10 Afghan army soldiers were killed in a Taliban attack in the same province. |
In eastern Afghanistan, two US soldiers were shot dead by an Afghan National Army soldier. | In eastern Afghanistan, two US soldiers were shot dead by an Afghan National Army soldier. |
The bodies of the 17 civilians were discovered on Monday morning. | The bodies of the 17 civilians were discovered on Monday morning. |
Local officials said the men had gathered to listen to music and watch the women dance when they were attacked. The Taliban disapprove of men and women mixing socially. | Local officials said the men had gathered to listen to music and watch the women dance when they were attacked. The Taliban disapprove of men and women mixing socially. |
"I can confirm that this is the work of the Taliban," the Helmand provincial governor's spokesman, Daud Ahmadi, told AFP news agency. | "I can confirm that this is the work of the Taliban," the Helmand provincial governor's spokesman, Daud Ahmadi, told AFP news agency. |
He added that the men and women were "partying with music in an area under the control of the Taliban". | He added that the men and women were "partying with music in an area under the control of the Taliban". |
The BBC's Quentin Sommerville, in the capital Kabul, says some reports suggest the 17 were killed because they were local government workers. | |
'Green on blue' | 'Green on blue' |
The 10 Afghan army soldiers were killed in a massive attack by the Taliban on their checkpoint in southern Helmand on Monday morning. As many as 200 insurgents were involved in the assault, 11 of whom were killed. | The 10 Afghan army soldiers were killed in a massive attack by the Taliban on their checkpoint in southern Helmand on Monday morning. As many as 200 insurgents were involved in the assault, 11 of whom were killed. |
Four soldiers were wounded and six others were also missing following the attack in Washir district, a senior police official told AFP. | Four soldiers were wounded and six others were also missing following the attack in Washir district, a senior police official told AFP. |
The two US soldiers with the Nato-led force in Afghanistan were killed in Laghman province by an Afghan army soldier who was subsequently killed by Nato troops. | The two US soldiers with the Nato-led force in Afghanistan were killed in Laghman province by an Afghan army soldier who was subsequently killed by Nato troops. |
Such incidents - termed "green on blue" attacks in reference to the respective colours of the soldiers' uniforms - have killed a total of 42 foreign troops this year. | Such incidents - termed "green on blue" attacks in reference to the respective colours of the soldiers' uniforms - have killed a total of 42 foreign troops this year. |
The Taliban claim responsibility for many of the attacks, but Nato says other issues, including cultural differences and personal animosities, are behind many incidents. | The Taliban claim responsibility for many of the attacks, but Nato says other issues, including cultural differences and personal animosities, are behind many incidents. |
Currently, approximately 130,000 ("blue") Nato troops are fighting insurgents in Afghanistan alongside 350,000 ("green") Afghans. | Currently, approximately 130,000 ("blue") Nato troops are fighting insurgents in Afghanistan alongside 350,000 ("green") Afghans. |
Nato forces are due to withdraw combat troops in Afghanistan by the end of 2014, with only training troops remaining. | Nato forces are due to withdraw combat troops in Afghanistan by the end of 2014, with only training troops remaining. |