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March 28, 2013

Report: 4 Children Killed in Night Raid by Afghan, International Forces 
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Afghan police say five civilians, including four children, were killed
in a night raid by Afghan and international special forces in the
eastern province of Logar. While the Afghan defense ministry claimed
there were no civilian deaths, Reuters video showed heavily damaged
houses and the bodies of at least three children. The attack was
reportedly carried out to rescue two Afghan soldiers captured by the
Taliban. At least one of the victims blamed U.S. soldiers.

Afghan woman: "I have lost my two sons and my husband in the operation.
Also my house is totally destroyed."

Faqir Mohammad: "From 9 o'clock at night until 5 o'clock in the morning,
our houses were under mortar attack. And this massacre you see is done
by Afghans and Americans. This has been done by Americans."

Afghan officials said 23 members of the Taliban were also killed in the
attack. A spokesperson for NATO’s International Security Assistance
Force told AFP it was "aware of the allegations of civilian casualties,"
but said foreign troops were "not directly involved."

 

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