KABUL, Feb 15 (NNN-KUNA) — As many as 12 Afghan civilians have been killed as two rockets fired from a base of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) landed in a civilian area on Sunday.
The incident, the first of civilian casualties since the launch of the massive anti-Taliban operation, happened in the southern province of Helmand.
Fifteen thousands US, British and Afghan troops are taking part in the operation codenamed Mushtarak (together) launched in Marja district of Afghanistans lawless Helmand province early Saturday morning.?
The ISAF officials in Kabul said the rockets were fired from a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).
They said the ISAF soldiers were responding to insurgents firing upon Afghan and ISAF forces in Nad Ali district.
They said the rockets landed nearly 300 meters away from the intended target, killing 12 civilians in Nad Ali district.
Commander of the international troops General Stanley McChrystal has expressed sorrow over the civilian casualties and conveyed his apologies to President Hamid Karzai for the incident.
“We deeply regret this tragic loss of life,” said a statement from ISAF heaquaters.
Quoting McChrystal, the statement said: “The current operation in central Helmand is aimed at restoring security and stability to this vital area of Afghanistan.”
Earlier, Afghan President Hamid Karzai had urged upon the foreign and local troops to avoid civilian casualties during the operation.
Karzai had asked the NATO troops to avoid the use of air power in areas populated by civilians.
A day after the launch of the operation, the Afghan troops claimed killing 27 Taliban in Marja district.
Two NATO soldiers were also confirmed dead in the operation.
NATO and Afghan officials believe the operation Mushtarak would prove a decisive blow to Taliban in the area.
They said it would also enable the Afghan government to regain its writ in Marja district, which is now under the control of Taliban. — NNN-KUNA
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