By KUNA
Kabul : Two Afghan women and as many children were killed during an anti-Taliban operation by the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in southern Afghanistan, the military said on Wednesday.
“During an operation in the area of Regional Command South, a group of insurgents engaged ISAF forces who returned fire immediately. Tragically, a group of civilians received fire causing the death of two women and two children,” said ISAF spokesman Brig. Gen. Carlos Branco.
Regretting the loss of civilian lives in the operation, the spokesman said the casualties were a result of a deliberate attack against ISAF forces instigated by insurgents.
The ten civilians were withdrawn to a safe place and subsequently evacuated to an ISAF base where the injured child received immediate medical treatment.
“Our hearts and minds are with people involved in this tragic incident and with the families and friends of the ones that lost their lives,” he added.
Without mentioning the exact figures, the spokesman said a number of insurgents were also killed during the engagement. No ISAF soldier was killed or injured, he added.
Civilian casualties in NATO and coalition forces operations is a constant source of concern for both the Afghan government and the foreign military, as such incidents produce and increase hatred among Afghans against the foreign troops.
Such casualties are also in favour of Taliban as a growing number of those who lose relatives and friends overtly or covertly support the militants to avenge the deaths.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai and other leaders have time and again asked the coalition and NATO troops to observe restraints while conducting operations in civilian areas.