Nato apologises for accidental killing of two Afghan boys
Two children, aged seven and eight, were shot dead on Thursday as they tended cattle in southern Uruzgan province, in an incident which could inflame tensions over the conduct of foreign soldiers in Afghanistan.
Australian military chief General David Hurley Sunday said he deeply regretted the deaths of two Afghan boys killed during an operation but it was too early to say who was responsible.
Two children, aged seven and eight, were shot dead on Thursday as they tended cattle in southern Uruzgan province, in an incident which could inflame tensions over the conduct of foreign soldiers in Afghanistan.
The Nato-led International Security Assistance Force has admitted its troops caused the unintended civilian deaths and Uruzgan’s governor has said Australian soldiers were responsible.
It is premature to make any determination about how the incident occurred or who was responsible
“We deeply regret that the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) were responsible for the unintended death of two young Afghan boys during the operation,” said Hurley, who is chief of the Australian Defence Force.
But he added: “It is premature to make any determination about how the incident occurred or who was responsible.”
Hurley said Australian Special Operations soldiers were on the ground conducting a routine liaison patrol when the incident occurred on February 28.
“Australian personnel immediately reported the incident to Afghan government officials and military leaders in Uruzgan,” he said in a statement Sunday.