PAN, October 13, 2013

Civilians suffer casualties in NATO forces fire

Shujaul Mulk Jalala told Pajhwok Afghan News some bullets fired by foreign troops at the attackers hit a house in Sadgula area

By Khan Wali Salarzai

Two civilians were killed and five others injured as foreign troops opened fire in response to an insurgent attack in eastern Kunar province, where Taliban executed two young boys on spying charges, an official said on Sunday.

Militants fired mortar shells at a base of foreign troops in Asadabad, the provincial capital, sparking a retaliatory fire from the troops, the governor said.

Shujaul Mulk Jalala told Pajhwok Afghan News some bullets fired by foreign troops at the attackers hit a house in Sadgula area, killing two children and injuring five others, including women.

Jalala also confirmed the Taliban had executed two young boys for allegedly spying against them for government forces.

He said the slain boys were brothers aged 8 and 12 years, saying they had no connection with the forces.

But a Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, denied the fighters had killed any child, saying the claim was aimed at denigrating the Taliban among the public.

He said four American forces were killed when their base was attacked with mortar fire in Asadabad. Two fighters were killed when the Americans returned fire, he said.

Characters Count: 1382