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Friendly Fire From U.S. Helicopters Kills Afghan Troops, Officials Say Attack by U.S. Helicopters Kills Afghan Troops, Officials Say
(about 3 hours 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 its kind 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, 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 after 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 after two hours of heavy fighting, said Sabir Khan, the commander of the police unit.
In a statement, the United States military headquarters acknowledged the casualties and expressed “deep regret” and condolences, adding that a joint investigation with Afghan officials was underway.In a statement, the United States military headquarters acknowledged the casualties and expressed “deep regret” and condolences, adding that a joint investigation with Afghan officials was underway.
Ashraf Ghani, the Afghan president, “expressed his profound sorrow over the death and wounding of a number of Afghan National Army soldiers as a result of an airstrike by the international forces,” his office said in a statement.Ashraf Ghani, the Afghan president, “expressed his profound sorrow over the death and wounding of a number of Afghan National Army soldiers as a result of an airstrike by the international forces,” his office said in a statement.
“The president reiterated that the international forces take maximum precautions not to harm the people and security forces of Afghanistan in their operations in the future,” the statement added.“The president reiterated that the international forces take maximum precautions not to harm the people and security forces of Afghanistan in their operations in the future,” the statement added.
Mohammad Rahim Amin, the district chief of Baraki Barak, where the strike took place, 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, where the strike took place, 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. Mr. Khan, the police commander, 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,” Mr. Khan said.“After the American strikes, the Taliban tried to run over the outpost and capture the five wounded soldiers lying there,” Mr. Khan said.
Two hours of fighting later, he said, the Taliban were pushed back, and the government delegation was able to retrieve the bodies and take 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 take them to the provincial capital.
“The heads of two of the soldiers were missing,” Mr. Khan said.“The heads of two of the soldiers were missing,” Mr. Khan said.