Troops kill 14 Afghans in disputed encounter

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Troops kill 14 Afghans in disputed encounter
By Fisnik Abrashi - The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Nov 10, 2008 19:06:27 EST

KABUL, Afghanistan — American soldiers shot and killed 14 security guards after an encounter in eastern Afghanistan, and the Afghan president said Monday he feared the deaths would only discredit his own government in the eyes of its people.

The U.S. coalition said its troops shot at three vehicles carrying armed men in the eastern Khost province Sunday only after its occupants opened fire on their forces.

“There were secondary explosions in the vehicles, and 14 armed men were killed. Numerous ammunition belts and small-arms weapons were recovered from the vehicles,” a statement from the U.S. military said Monday.

The military said it has launched a joint investigation with Afghan authorities.

President Hamid Karzai, in a statement issued Monday, said those killed were private security guards working for a road construction company.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/11/ap_afghan_guarddeaths_111008/%2e