PAN, December 4, 2008
Civilians killed in Paktia air and ground operation by the US troops
"Haji Sardar neither had links with Taliban fighters nor with al-Qaeda network"
Syed Jamal Asifkhel
Local people on Thursday informed a tribal elder along with seven family members has been eliminated during an air and ground operation by the US-led coalition troops in the southeastern Paktia province.
One body wrapped in white cloth was put into the back of a taxi and driven away from the scene as crowds chanted "death to Bush, death to America".
Haji Muhammadullah, a resident of Sahak area in the lawless Zurmat district told Pajhwok Afghan News that the area people were busy pulling out dead bodies of Sardar's family members from debris as killed in the bombing Wednesday midnight.
He added tribal elders will carry dead bodies of the civilians perished in the bombing as a sign of protest against the bombing in front of the governor house. "Haji Sardar neither had links with Taliban fighters nor with al-Qaeda network" he remarked.
However, the US-led coalition troops in a statement emailed to this news agency has claimed killing two Taliban guerrillas and detaining three others. Provincial police chief Aziz Ahmad Wardak has also confirmed killing and detaining militants.
Zabihullah Mujahid spokesman for the anti government movement of Taliban fighters has meanwhile rejected the government claims.
Many civilians have been killed in similar incidents in the lawless Zurmat district many times.
Characters Count: 1876