Al Jazeera News :
Air raids by Afghan security forces against Taliban fighters have killed at least 45 people, including civilians, according to a local official.
Ali Ahmad Faqir Yar, governor of Adraskan district in the western Afghan province of Herat, said on Wednesday at least eight civilians were among the dead.
“Forty-five people had been killed so far in air strikes by security forces in the Kham Ziarat area. Taliban were among those killed,” he said.
It was unclear how many of the remaining 37 were civilians and how many were members of the Taliban.
Qari Mohammad Yousuf Ahmadi, a Taliban spokesman, said in a
statement two air raids in Herat killed eight civilians and wounded 12. Two local officials confirmed there had been two rounds of air raids.
“Such attacks would compel recently freed prisoners who wish to live normal lives to take up arms once again against the enemy,” said Ahmadi.
Acting Defence Minister Asadullah Khalid said on Thursday Taliban fighters were killed in the attacks. His ministry issued a statement saying it was investigating the reports of civilian casualties, and would make the findings public.
“The National Defense and Security Forces have the responsibility to protect the lives and property of the people, in this regard, they use all the opportunities and facilities and will not spare any effort,” the statement said.
Air raids by Afghan security forces against Taliban fighters have killed at least 45 people, including civilians, according to a local official.
Ali Ahmad Faqir Yar, governor of Adraskan district in the western Afghan province of Herat, said on Wednesday at least eight civilians were among the dead.
“Forty-five people had been killed so far in air strikes by security forces in the Kham Ziarat area. Taliban were among those killed,” he said.
It was unclear how many of the remaining 37 were civilians and how many were members of the Taliban.
Qari Mohammad Yousuf Ahmadi, a Taliban spokesman, said in a
statement two air raids in Herat killed eight civilians and wounded 12. Two local officials confirmed there had been two rounds of air raids.
“Such attacks would compel recently freed prisoners who wish to live normal lives to take up arms once again against the enemy,” said Ahmadi.
Acting Defence Minister Asadullah Khalid said on Thursday Taliban fighters were killed in the attacks. His ministry issued a statement saying it was investigating the reports of civilian casualties, and would make the findings public.
“The National Defense and Security Forces have the responsibility to protect the lives and property of the people, in this regard, they use all the opportunities and facilities and will not spare any effort,” the statement said.
