US-LED SOLDIERS KILL THREE CIVILIANS IN EASTERN AFGHANISTAN

Kabul, 19 Jumadil Akhir 1434/29 April 2013 (MINA) – US-led troops have killed at least three Afghan civilians in the country’s eastern province of Nangarhar, local officials say, press TV reports.

Director of Provincial Development Council Malak Mohkam Khan said the incident took place on Sunday in province’s Chaparhar district after US-led soldiers opened fire on people working on a farmland, the Iranian media reported as monitored by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA).

“That the US-led troops shot and killed the civilians including two chidlren after they came under fire by unknown people,” Khan added.

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Previously, US-led foreign forces killed seventeen civilians in the eastern province of Kunar last month.

On January 31, at least three Afghan farmers were wounded after US-led forces opened fire on them in the northeastern province of Kunar.

Civilian casualties have long been a source of friction between the Afghan government and US-led foreign forces and have dramatically increased anti-US sentiments in Afghanistan.

The United States and its allies invaded Afghanistan in October 2001 as part of Washington’s so-called war on terror. The offensive removed the Taliban from power, but insecurity continues to rise across the country, despite the presence of thousands of US-led troops.

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According to statistics released by the United Nations, in the first six months of 2012, over 1,140 Afghan civilians were killed and around 2,000 were wounded. Thirty percent of the casualties were women and children.

Meanwhile, a great number of Afghan civilians are killed in US-led drone strikes. Washington claims that its airstrikes target militants, but local sources say civilians have been the main victims of the attacks. (T/P09/P03)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)