US, Afghan forces accidentally kill child in raid in eastern Afghanistan
By APThursday, October 8, 2009
US, Afghan forces kill Afghan child in raid
KABUL — The U.S. military says American and Afghan forces accidentally killed a child during a raid on a Taliban compound in eastern Afghanistan.
Civilian deaths threaten to undermine Afghan support for international forces, and the U.S. commander in Afghanistan has made protecting innocent Afghans a priority. Wednesday night’s incident in Logar province is a reminder of how difficult the task can be.
A military statement says the troops came under fire as they entered the compound. They shouted for everyone to come out multiple times before attacking, and some women and children complied. Col. Wayne Shanks, a U.S. spokesman, said they killed some insurgents but also wounded a young boy who was inside. The boy later died of his wounds.
