Afghanistan raid kills 3, including 2 kids

[unhappycamper]

Afghan civilians flee from Arghandab district of Kandahar province on Oct. 31, where heavy gunbattles between coalition forces and Taliban fighters are taking place. Hundreds of Afghans, their cars and tractors piled high with personal possessions, were fleeing the battleground about 15 miles north of Kandahar.


Afghanistan raid kills 3, including 2 kids
By Fisnik Abrashi - The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Nov 1, 2007 10:26:30 EDT

KABUL, Afghanistan — A nighttime raid in eastern Afghanistan by U.S. and Afghan troops sparked a gun battle that killed three people, including two children, and the military said Thursday it is investigating the deaths.

Civilian casualties have incited resentment and demonstrations against U.S. and NATO forces, though officials blame militants who use civilian homes as cover during clashes. President Hamid Karzai has pleaded with western forces to do all they can to prevent such deaths.

The latest civilian casualties came as U.S. and Afghan troops were raiding a compound suspected of harboring militants belonging to a suicide bombing network. They were fired upon as they approached late Wednesday in Bati Kot district in Nangarhar province, said Army Maj. Chris Belcher, a spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition.

After the clash, a militant and two children were found dead inside the compound, Belcher said. A woman and another child were wounded, he said.

“It is regrettable that the civilian lives were put in danger by the militants and our sincere condolences goes to the families of the deceased and wounded,” Belcher said.

In Kandahar province, hundreds of Taliban militants fled from Arghandab district, 15 miles north of Kandahar city, following three days of fighting which left more than 50 militants dead and hundreds of people displaced, provincial Gov. Asadullah Khalid said.


Rest of article at: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2007/10/ap_afghanistan_071031/

[lligrd]

1. Collateral Damage

A real shame that we have so much "Collateral Damage" for every "militant" killed. How can this administration's supporters live with themselves?

[Lint Head]

2. The lives of 2 children are never worth the life of one terrorist.

It's the cold blooded attitude regarding the death of children that makes me angry. I hear one thing in the media than I hear behind the scenes military personnel say, 'that's just how it is.' Also statements like, 'Their children die so yours don't have to.'
No child should die. If terrorist use children as a shield then wait until the terrorist is no longer behind the shield. It's called patience. :dem: