NATO Soldier Killed by 'Friendly Fire'

[Judi Lynn]

NATO Soldier Killed by 'Friendly Fire'
NATO Warplanes Kill NATO Soldier, Wound Others in 'Friendly Fire' Incident in Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan Sep 4, 2006 (AP)— NATO warplanes killed one of the force's own soldiers and wounded several others in a "friendly fire" incident in southern Afghanistan on Monday, NATO said in a statement.

The mishap occurred during a NATO-led anti-Taliban operation in Kandahar province's Panjwayi district after ground troops requested air support, NATO said.

"Two ISAF (NATO's International Security Assistance Force) aircraft provided the support but regrettably engaged friendly forces during a strafing run, using cannons," the statement said.

There were "multiple casualties" caused in the air raid, including one NATO soldier who was killed, the force said. The nationalities of the troops were not immediately clear.
(snip/...)

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=2391402

[daleo]

1. There were four Canadians killed there today

The CBC story indicated that two were probably killed by Taleban. Maybe the other two were killed by this U.S. plane.

On edit - this phrasing in the CBC story may be hinting that some of the soldiers were killed from aircraft fire.

"Brig.-Gen. David Fraser, the Canadian Forces general who commands the NATO forces in southern Afghanistan, said Sunday that the Canadians died during an air and ground offensive against the Taliban that started in southern Kandahar province a day earlier."

[Iceburg]

2. The NATO soldier was another Canadian bringing the total to 5

Canadians killed on Sunday and Monday. A British soldier attached to NATO and 4 Afghanistan civilians were also killed in a Kabul suicide bombing on Monday.

Regarding the Canadian killed in the latest friendly fir incident ...

"NATO said the friendly fire incident occurred during a major NATO-led operation in Kandahar province's Panjwayi district. After ground troops requested air support, two NATO aircraft "regrettably engaged friendly forces during a strafing run, using cannons," the statement said.

One Canadian soldier was killed, said NATO spokesman Maj. Scott Lundy, while five were seriously wounded and evacuated out of Afghanistan for medical treatment. He did not say where they were taken. An investigation into the incident has been launched."
http://nwitimes.com/articles/2006/09/04/ap/headlines/d8jtv91g2.txt

See also http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5311464.stm

[High Plains]

3. Oops. More pilots on speed or what?