Afghanistan: NATO forces kill six civilians

A NATO operation killed six civilians on April 13, including a young girl, in eastern Afghanistan, an Associated Press article that day reported villagers and officials as saying. The NATO occupying force denied the allegation, instead claiming eight "militants" had been killed.

The governor of Kunar province, Sayed Fazelullah Wahidi, said five houses were damaged and one was demolished in the NATO airstrike in Sangar village, AP said. A NATO spokesperson denied targeting civilians but acknowledged it was possible civilians were wounded.

Haji Matinullah, who said he was a cousin of some of the victims, said warplanes began bombing about 3am. He said four members of one family died, including an eight-year-old boy, and two people in other families were killed, including a 3-year-old girl.

Less than a week before the latest incident, the US military admitted killing five civilians in Khost province, including an infant. Thirty other people were killed around the country in military operations and roadside bombs, AP reported that officials said.

From GLW issue 791