Militants, civilians die in Afghan battle

[unhappycamper]

Militants, civilians die in Afghan battle
By Rahim Faiez - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Oct 23, 2007 16:32:33 EDT

KABUL, Afghanistan — NATO and Afghan troops called in airstrikes during a battle against insurgents that left 20 suspected militants and several civilians dead in central Afghanistan, officials said Tuesday.

In eastern Afghanistan, meanwhile, a NATO soldier was killed and two others were wounded on Tuesday, the alliance said in a statement.

The casualty figures from the central Afghanistan clash varied widely. Afghan officials said between three and 12 civilians were killed in the fighting Monday in a remote area of Wardak province, just west of the capital, Kabul.

NATO’s force in Afghanistan said 50 insurgents were trying to set up an ambush and that fighter aircraft dropped two bombs on their position.

Spokesman Maj. Charles Anthony said soldiers were investigating the incident to see if civilians had perished.

“We’ve been looking since yesterday,” Anthony said. “We still have not gotten any evidence of any civilian casualties. I’m not saying it’s not possible.”


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/10/ap_afghanistan_071023/



uhc comment: The Khaleej Times reports that civilians were killed, but don't give a number --> http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/editorial/2007/October/editorial_October50.xml§ion=editorial&col=