NATO Regrets Airstrike That Killed 8 Young Afghans

Published February 15, 2012 9:09AM (EST)

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The U.S.-led military coalition says it regrets the killing of eight civilians in a NATO airstrike this month in eastern Afghanistan.

The coalition dropped two bombs on Feb. 8 in Najrab district in Kapisa province, after movements by eight people on the ground were assessed as a threat to Afghan police and NATO forces in the area.

Air Commodore Mike Wigston, the director of NATO air operations, said Wednesday the international forces believed they were "young teenagers" who were armed.

Local officials say seven were boys between the ages of 6 and 14 and one was a mentally ill young man around 18 to 20 years old.

U.S. Gen. John Allen, the top commander in Afghanistan, has met with the provincial governor to express his condolences.


By Salon Staff

MORE FROM Salon Staff


Related Topics ------------------------------------------