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Global General

NATO admits causing civilian death in Afghanistan

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-04-12 21:55

KABUL - The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) confirmed that its troops killed four civilians and injured 18 others Monday in southern Afghanistan's Kandahar province. ?

"ISAF deeply regrets the tragic loss of life in Zhari district (Kandahar province) this morning," said a press release issued by the NATO force.

According to the ISAF operational reporting, four civilians were killed, including one female, and five others were injured in the incident. ?

The ISAF press release said 13 others have checked into local medical facilities to be treated for minor injuries, making the total number of those injured at 18.

Before dawn Monday morning, "an unknown, large vehicle" approached a slow-moving ISAF route-clearance patrol from the rear at a high rate of speed, said the press release, adding that the ISAF patrol warned off the approaching vehicle once with a flashlight and three times with flares, which were not heeded.

Perceiving a threat when the vehicle approached once more at an increased rate of speed, the patrol attempted to warn off the vehicle with hand signals prior to firing upon it, added the press release.

Once engaged, the vehicle then stopped, it said, adding that upon inspection, ISAF forces discovered the vehicle to be a passenger bus. ? ? ?

The ISAF patrol provided immediate medical assistance to five injured civilians, some of whom were transported by ISAF to local medical facilities for care, said the press release. ?

A combined incident assessment team by Afghan and ISAF has arrived from Kabul, the capital city, in order to review the events leading to this regrettable loss of life, it said.