US Kills Seven Afghan Civilians
    BBC News

    Monday 17 April 2006

    The US military has admitted killing seven civilians during a battle with insurgents in Afghanistan.

    A statement regretting the "loss of innocent life" and announcing an investigation was released by the US.

    The deaths occurred during a firefight between a coalition patrol and up to 10 militants in Kunar province near the border with Pakistan, the US said.

    The clash erupted during a major operation launched by the US-led coalition against Taleban forces.

    Fourteen Taleban militants were reported to have been killed or injured in clashes on Saturday, and up to 41 the day before in a battle in Kandahar province.

    There has also been fighting in the southern province of Zabul between Taleban and police manning a checkpoint. There are unconfirmed claims of dead and injured on both sides.

    The civilian deaths happened in the Korengal Valley, when American troops responded to an attack by militants firing small arms and rocket-propelled grenades, said US military spokesman Major Matt Hackathorn.

    Artillery and air support were called in.

    "Our surveillance indicated that there was a house with a cave nearby and that the insurgents were going back and forth between both, so we suppressed the area with a combined arms assault of close air support, artillery and direct fire," Maj Hackathorn said.

    "But once we realised there were civilians in the area, we ceased fire."

    Upsurge in Attacks

    As well as the seven people killed, at least three were injured, village elders said.

    "Whether our direct fire was responsible or close-air support or if the victims were caught in the crossfire we just don't know right now," the spokesman said.

    "We are profoundly sorry about the loss of life."

    US and Afghan forces last week launched Operation Mountain Lion involving 2,500 troops to flush out Taleban-led militants assumed to be behind a recent upsurge in attacks on both coalition forces and civilians.

    The Afghan defense ministry says it is the biggest joint operation since 0athe Taleban were driven from power in 2001.