PAN, December 12, 2009

Two civilians allegedly killed by NATO forces

Dr Rafiullah, who also witnessed the bodies, said the deceased's hands were tied behind their back with plastic cuffs which could only be found with US soldiers.

Saboor Mangal

KHOST CITY: NATO forces have allegedly killed two civilians after arresting them in Alisher district of restive southeastern Khost province, relatives and officials said on Saturday.

Photo: PAN

A relative of the victims named Ismail told Pajhwok Afghan News Nadeem and Noor Wazir were riding a motorcycle when NATO forces intercepted them near capital city late Friday afternoon.

"Today, when we were going to a US forces base in Salar Bagh area to know about the whereabouts of our relatives, we were told that the two are dead and their bodies could be seen in a local hospital," he said.

Ismail said the two were innocent and ordinary workers and had no links with any militant groups.

Police Chief Colonel Yaqub said police found two unidentified corpses at 4am this morning in the area and shifted them to Khost's civil hospital. Journalism and Human Rights Director for southeastern zone, Dr Rafiullah, who also witnessed the bodies, said the deceased's hands were tied behind their back with plastic cuffs which could only be found with US soldiers.

Dr. Rafiullah said it was a brutal action against humanity and called for serious investigation into the incident.

A doctor at the civil hospital, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told PAN the victims were bitten by dogs on faces.

However, NATO media office in Khost called the claims a Taliban's endeavor to defame the foreign forces.

A militant commander named Salahuddin Ayubi, who is active in the region, rejected NATO media office's claim, saying the American soldiers had committed such crimes in the past as well.

It merits a mention here that NATO forces had been accused in the past for several times of killing prisoners in their custody.

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