A statement by Karzai's office said an investigation by
Afghan intelligence determined that a NATO rocket slammed into the village of
Rigi in the Sangin district of Helmand province. Karzai expressed his
condolences in a telephone conversation with villagers and called on the US-led
alliance to make protection of civilians “their priority during their
operations.” The US-led command said a joint NATO-Afghan investigation into the
alleged attack “has thus far revealed no evidence of civilians injured or
killed.” “Any speculation at this point of an alleged civilian casualty in Rigi
village is completely unfounded,” said Rear Adm. Rick Smith.
Last Saturday, a man named Abdul Ghafaar told The
Associated Press that he brought seven children to a hospital in Kandahar after
getting caught in the crossfire in Sangin the day before. Another man, Marjan
Agha, said villagers began walking with a white flag toward NATO forces but
that shots rang out and two people were killed on the spot.
Civilian casualties caused by international troops are a
major source of friction between Karzai and his international partners, even
though the United Nations says the Taleban are responsible for most civilian
deaths.
Rising public anger over civilian deaths and injuries led
former NATO commander Gen. Stanley McChrystal to issue orders last year curbing
the use of airpower and heavy weapons if civilians are at risk.
