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Friendly Fire From U.S. Helicopters Kills Afghan Troops, Officials Say Friendly Fire From U.S. Helicopters Kills Afghan Troops, Officials Say
(34 minutes later)
KABUL, Afghanistan — In one of the deadliest episodes of friendly fire in Afghanistan in recent years, American helicopters opened fire on an outpost belonging to the Afghan Army in the eastern province of Logar on Monday, killing at least seven Afghan soldiers and wounding five, officials said.KABUL, Afghanistan — In one of the deadliest episodes of friendly fire in Afghanistan in recent years, American helicopters opened fire on an outpost belonging to the Afghan Army in the eastern province of Logar on Monday, killing at least seven Afghan soldiers and wounding five, officials said.
This was the second time in less than two years that American forces had mistakenly targeted Afghan soldiers in Logar. A similar case in March last year left five dead.This was the second time in less than two years that American forces had mistakenly targeted Afghan soldiers in Logar. A similar case in March last year left five dead.
In a further twist, after the strikes, a Taliban group on about 25 motorcyles mounted an offensive to take over the destroyed outpost, but they were repelled by members of the Afghan Local Police following two hours of heavy fighting, said Sabir Khan, the commander of the police unit. In a further twist, after the strikes, Taliban fighters on about 25 motorcycles mounted an offensive to take over the destroyed outpost, but they were repelled by members of the Afghan Local Police following two hours of heavy fighting, said Sabir Khan, the commander of the police unit.
Col. Brian Tribus, a spokesman for the United States military in Afghanistan, confirmed “an incident involving U.S. forces in Logar Province this morning” and said it was under investigation.Col. Brian Tribus, a spokesman for the United States military in Afghanistan, confirmed “an incident involving U.S. forces in Logar Province this morning” and said it was under investigation.
The Afghan Ministry of Defense, in a statement, said that Afghan soldiers had been killed and wounded by strikes from coalition forces “whose helicopters, passing in the area, were fired at by the armed opposition.”The Afghan Ministry of Defense, in a statement, said that Afghan soldiers had been killed and wounded by strikes from coalition forces “whose helicopters, passing in the area, were fired at by the armed opposition.”
Mohammad Halim Fidai, the governor of Logar Province, said he had sent an investigating delegation to the site of the incident, in the Chiltan area of the district of Baraki Barak, and could share details only after the group had reported back. Mohammad Halim Fidai, the governor of Logar Province, said that he had sent an investigating delegation to the site of the incident, in the Chiltan area of the district of Baraki Barak, and that he could share details only after the group had reported back.
Mohammad Rahim Amin, the district chief of Baraki Barak, who was part of the delegation, said that the attack happened at 6:40 a.m. and that seven soldiers were killed and five wounded.Mohammad Rahim Amin, the district chief of Baraki Barak, who was part of the delegation, said that the attack happened at 6:40 a.m. and that seven soldiers were killed and five wounded.
“The outpost was completely destroyed; it was fired upon a lot,” Mr. Amin said. “The bodies were in bad shape.”“The outpost was completely destroyed; it was fired upon a lot,” Mr. Amin said. “The bodies were in bad shape.”
He added that a new group of soldiers had been moved into the outpost.He added that a new group of soldiers had been moved into the outpost.
Baraki Barak is a volatile district about 40 miles from Kabul. Hours after the shooting on Monday, the government delegation sent to retrieve the bodies was ambushed by Taliban fighters, who were advancing on the security posts in the area. Sabir Khan, a local police commander in Chiltan reached by telephone, said their posts were under heavy enemy fire. Baraki Barak is a volatile district about 40 miles from Kabul. Hours after the shooting on Monday, the government delegation sent to retrieve the bodies was ambushed by Taliban fighters, who were advancing on the security posts in the area. Mr. Khan, the police commander, said their posts were under heavy enemy fire.
“After the American strikes, the Taliban tried to run over the outpost and capture the five wounded soldiers lying there,” said Mr. Khan, the local police commander in Chiltan. “After the American strikes, the Taliban tried to run over the outpost and capture the five wounded soldiers lying there,” Mr. Khan said.
After two hours of fighting, he said, the Taliban were pushed back, and the government delegation was able to retrieve the bodies and bring them to the provincial capital. Two hours of fighting later, he said, the Taliban were pushed back, and the government delegation was able to retrieve the bodies and bring them to the provincial capital.
“The heads of the two of the soldiers were missing,” Mr. Khan said. “The heads of two of the soldiers were missing,” Mr. Khan said.