KABUL - Addressing a joint press conference on Saturday, Ministry of Defense spokesman Dawlat Waziri said that the Taliban used their own families as human shields in this week's operation in Kunduz and that a number of family members of Taliban commanders were among the dead.
Along with Waziri, Brig. Gen. Charles Cleveland, Resolute Support Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications, also confirmed many of those killed were Taliban family members.
They both said the Afghan Special Forces and NATO advisers had targeted a gathering of Taliban commanders at one of their houses in the Boz Kandahari area in Kunduz.
Waziri said that the Taliban "shows no mercy with regards to their own families" as meetings are often held at their houses.
Both Waziri and Cleveland said the Taliban commanders had been plotting yet another attack on Kunduz city.
Waziri said that during the operation, troops faced strong resistance from the Taliban.
Cleveland also said "during the course of the operation troops came under fire and defended themselves with ground and air engagement."
Cleveland said: "Several Taliban leaders and Taliban members were killed in the engagement."
He went on to say the presence of Taliban in Kunduz continues to present a threat to the province and NATO will continue to support Afghan troops.
Both Waziri and Cleveland stated the killing of civilians was a tragedy – even if they were family members of Taliban leaders.
Waziri confirmed Taliban commanders had gathered at the time of the operation to plan another attack on Kunduz city.
He said however that the Afghan government and its security agencies are obeying international laws in war against insurgents to protect civilians.
According to him, only Afghan special forces and NATO advisers were involved in the operation on Wednesday night and that three Afghan commandos and two US advisers were killed.
He also said Taliban decision-makers had been holding a meeting when the operation was launched and that during the mission, troops confiscated Pakistani-made weapons.
The operation was launched on Wednesday night and involved Afghan commandos along with NATO advisers on the ground as well as foreign forces' air support.
Over 30 civilians were killed in the operation. (Tolonews)