Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Friday, March 29th, 2024

ISAF Acted against his Decree: Karzai

ISAF Acted against  his Decree: Karzai

KABUL - President Hamid Karzai on Saturday said foreign troops violated his decree barring airstrikes in residential areas when they carried out an air raid in eastern Kunar province on April 6.

Karzai who met members of a team he had appointed to investigate the airstrike in Shigal district was told 17 people, including 12 children, four women and one man, were killed in the airstrike. An American civilian adviser was also killed during the fighting.

A statement issued from Karzai office said the team's findings revealed the US strike came after Afghan intelligence officials were attacked by militants during an operation to arrest two insurgent commanders in Shaltan valley.

The delegation met President Karzai and shared with him its findings, the statement said, adding the joint forces wanted to leave the scene when they came under heavy shelling from the Taliban, prompting US soldiers to call for air support and based on their request, the air forces started bombing the area for several hours.

Karzai also blamed the Taliban for using civilian homes as bastions and warned airstrikes in residential areas were not acceptable.

He said the Kunar airstrike violated human rights and the presidential decree that urged ISAF not to carry out such raids in residential areas.

Karzai also directed the Cabinet secretariat chief to urgently provide assistance to the bereaved families. (Pajhwok)