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Eight Afghan Civilians Among 17 Killed in US Bombing
KABUL, 21 September 2003 â Eight nomads, including women and children, and a Taleban commander were among 17 people killed by US bombing in southeast Afghanistanâs violence-wracked Zabul province, the local governor said yesterday. The nomads, all civilians, and two Taleban were killed when US aircraft Tuesday night bombed the nomadsâ camp in remote Shinkay district, 340 kilometers southwest of Kabul, Zabul Governor Hafizullah Hashim said.The Taleban commander and militant had escaped a massive US-Afghan offensive that began Aug. 30 against mountain hide-outs in Daychopan, and taken shelter in the nomadsâ camp. Hashim named the dead Taleban commander as Mohammad Gul Niazai. The civilians died in their beds when a bomb landed on their tent in Naw Bahar district of the southern province of Zabul on Wednesday night, said deputy provincial governor Mohammad Omar. âThe figure I have for the civilian death toll is at least eight,â Omar told Reuters. âThe Taleban commander and his friend were apparently using a satellite phone, the signal of which was detected by American aircraft which then carried out the attack.â Sucks for the civilians, but looks like our radio direction finders are working just fine. Omar said government troops and soldiers from US-led foreign forces in Afghanistan were hunting Taleban fugitives in several districts of Zabul yesterday, but did not have details. Posted by: Steve 2003-09-20 |
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