Civilians killed in Afghanistan operation

13 February 2009 | 08:43:05 AM | Source: SBS

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Australian troops in Afghanistan (Getty Images)

A number of civilians have been killed and wounded in an incident involving Australian troops in Afghanistan.

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The Department of Defence said in the early hours of yesterday morning soldiers of the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) were conducting clearance operations in Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan.

"During the conduct of this operation the soldiers were fired upon by Taliban insurgents. The SOTG engaged the insurgents, returning fire in accordance with their rules of engagement," a Defence Department statement said.

It said no Australians were killed in the operation, but several people were killed, including a suspected insurgent and "local nationals including five children".

The statement said two children and two adults were injured.

"The injured have been treated on site and evacuated to medical facilities for further assessment and treatment if required," the statement said.

The Defence Force has opened an investigation into the incident.

"Defence is obviously concerned about any loss of life.  It is for this reason that Australian forces operate under strict Rules of Engagement that aim to avoid and minimise civilian casualties," the statement said.

Australian Special Forces soldiers are continuing to conduct operations within unspecified areas in southern Afghanistan.
 

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Your Comments

13 Feb 2009 12:11 AEST

Long Memory

From: NSW

Sweet Dreams Kiddies

At least they killed the suspect and five of the children but how come they only wounded the other two kids, did the kids get out of bed and spoil the soldiers aim? Can't our blokes hit a moving target? If they can't hit a sleeping child, what hope do they have of hitting an armed adult Taliban.

Agree (3 people agree)
Disagree (4 people disagree)
 

13 Feb 2009 11:27 AEST

rusty nails

From: canberra

kid killers

If Police in Australia open fired on a suspected criminal and indiscriminately killed 5 children and wounded others in apprehending the criminal do you think for one moment that the Police Commisioner responsible for those "rules of engagement " wouldn't be sacked on the spot and the police prosecuted for manslaughter - so what is the difference here except for the inherit racism and imperialism of the supposedly heroic Australian Defence Force. Racist? - different rules for different people.

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13 Feb 2009 10:10 AEST

rusty nails

From: canberra

kid killers

This is how the Australian Defence Force wins hearts and minds and defends democracy loving Afghans - it kills (murders with government approval) their children - I'd like to see the CDF look into the eyes of the parents of these dead kids and tell them its all for a 'just cause'. Next thing you know the Defence Force will wheel out their deceitful spiel about how the Insurgents were using kids as human shields. War crimes?

Agree (5 people agree)
Disagree (3 people disagree)
 

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