60 civilians said killed in Afghanistan

[leftchick]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061026/ap_on_re_as/afghan_civilians_killed

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - At least 60 civilians were killed during NATO operations in a volatile southern area of Afghanistan this week, two government officials and a civilian said Thursday.

If confirmed, the deaths would be the highest civilian toll caused by Western forces since the U.S.-led invasion in 2001.

NATO has said its forces killed 48 militants in heavy fighting in the Panjwayi district of Kandahar province Tuesday. The alliance said it only knew of four civilians wounded in the battle but that it had "credible reports" of other casualties.

Kandahar provincial council member Bismallah Afghanmal said 80 to 85 civilians were killed in fighting. A villager, Karim Jan, said 60 to 70 died. Another government official, who asked not to be named because it would "cause me problems," said at least 60 civilians were killed.

[acmavm]

1. Nothing like a little 'collateral damage', is there? I will NEVER

understand how killing so many innocent non-combatants is acceptable to anyone, let alone a country founded on the principals of the right to life, liberty, and property.

[llmart]

2. It's acceptable here...........

because they're not "us" and we're more important than them.

[allemand]

3. BBC: 'Civilians killed' in Nato raids

Scores of civilians have been killed during Nato operations against Taleban fighters in southern Afghanistan, local officials and civilians say. (...)

Reports from Panjwayi district say the Nato raids began on Tuesday, during the Eid al-Fitr festival marking the end of Ramadan, and continued into the night.

They said that several houses were hit, and civilians killed.

Villagers told the BBC Pashto service that the bodies of many locals had been pulled from the rubble of their homes after the raids and buried.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6086064.stm

[rodeodance]

4. NATO bombs kill scores of Afghan civilians: officials

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061026/wl_nm/afghan_dc

NATO bombs kill scores of Afghan civilians: officials

By Terry Friel Thu Oct 26, 11:03 AM ET

KABUL (Reuters) -
NATO warplanes killed at least 50 civilians, mostly women and children, in bombing in southern Afghanistan during a major Islamic holiday, local leaders said on Thursday.


The incident happened on Tuesday, the middle of the Eid al-Fitr festival marking the end of the Muslim fasting month, in Panjwai, an area where the alliance said it had killed hundreds of insurgents in a two-week offensive last month.

NATO says it killed 48 insurgents during heavy fighting in the area in Kandahar province, but had also received credible reports several civilians were killed in the operation.

The defense ministry has sent a team to investigate and President Hamid Karzai on Thursday appointed a special team of local elders to look at the case.

"It was late at night -- that might be the reason they didn't know where to bomb," said provincial assembly member Agha Lalai.

[babylonsister]

5. If they don't know where to bomb, WHY ARE THEY DOING IT?

:banghead: Yep, making new friends every day.

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

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[babylonsister]

8. Wow, you snuck those

pro-Israeli talking points in there seamlessly!
Welcome to DU! The whole area is one huge mess; we've incited and inspired terrorists, insurgents, you name them. Yes, we need to get the heck out and get a government here that cares more about diplomacy than bombing and killing people.

And BTW, here's a link to the I/P forum if you're not aware of it-it's a busy place over there:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=124

:hi:

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

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[Stella_Artois]

12. Farmers huh ?

Some of them do appear to be growing RPG's......

[saigon68]

6. They are Islamics they wear goofy stuff on their heads

KILL THEM


</sarcasm>

[tblue]

9. Why is an Afghan or an Iraqi life WORTH LESS than an American life?

Why don't more Americans care? If this had been an American city, we'd be outraged. What the hell is wrong with this country?

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

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[Eugene]

13. BBC: Nato confirms Afghan raid deaths ("sometimes things go wrong...")

Last Updated: Friday, 27 October 2006, 06:36 GMT 07:36 UK

Nato confirms Afghan raid deaths

Nato has confirmed that at least 12 civilians were killed in an air strike
targeting Taleban militants in southern Afghanistan on Tuesday.

Reports suggest at least 40 civilians died when a nomad camp was hit
in Kandahar province's Panjwayi district.

-snip-

Local police and officials confirmed more than 40 people were killed
in a Nato raid, Afghan interior ministry spokesman Zmarai Bashiry told
the BBC.

Other local officials put the death toll at between 60 and 85.

-snip-

Full article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6089862.stm