Afghan girl killed in NATO mortar test
error
Posted: 24 October 2006 2349 hrs
Photos 1 of 1
JALALABAD, Afghanistan : An Afghan girl was killed and two wounded
when a mortar test-fired by NATO troops fell short of its target
and hit a home in Afghanistan, military and police officials have
said.
Police in the eastern province of Kunar first said on Tuesday three
children were killed in the incident on Monday but the interior
ministry in Kabul later said only one had died.
NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said the two
wounded were seven-year-old girls. The dead child was also a young
girl.
The girls were being treated at the main US base at Bagram, near
the capital Kabul, a spokesman with the US-led coalition
said.
The ISAF troops had been setting up mortars to fire into areas
where they had previously come under attack, ISAF spokesman Major
Luke Knittig said. The area in Pech district is a hotspot for
attacks by Taliban insurgents.
In a test, one of a round of five mortars fell short of the target
for technical reasons, Knittig said.
"We extend our sympathies and we are taking every effort to ensure
children involved get the best care," he said.
An inquiry had been launched into the incident and an ISAF team had
already been into the area to visit the families involved, he
said.
I mean wtf? they kum gong issit? wanna test fire, at least check
the front area is without people first or evacuate them first
mah.... 
