US Special Forces mistakenly kill 6 Afghan police

[Ghost in the Machine]

US Special Forces mistakenly kill 6 Afghan police
Published: 12/10/08, 7:25 AM EDT
By JASON STRAZIUSO

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - U.S. Special Forces killed six Afghan police and wounded 13 early Wednesday in a case of mistaken identity by both sides after the police fired on the Americans during an operation against an insurgent commander, officials said.

A U.S. military statement said police fired on the American forces after the troops battled and killed an armed militant in the city of Qalat, the capital of the southern province of Zabul. The Americans returned fire on the police but only later learned their identities. One Afghan civilian was also killed in the exchange.

"Coalition forces deeply regret the incident of mistaken fire," said Col. Jerry O'Hara, a U.S. military spokesman. "Initial reports indicate this was a tragic case of mistaken identity on both parts."

Gulab Shah Alikhail, the province's deputy governor, said U.S. Special Forces carried out an operation in a small village near a police checkpoint on the outskirts of Qalat. The police, thinking it was a Taliban attack, opened fire, he said. Then a helicopter fired on the security post and destroyed it, he said.

"Unfortunately, the Special Forces didn't inform the police that they were going to the village," Alikhail said.

http://my.att.net/s/editorial.dll?bfromind=7812&eeid=6145025&_sitecat=1505&dcatid=0&eetype=article&render=y&ac=0&ck=&ch=ne

[babylonsister]

1. Cripes. Winning friends all over the world, again! nt

[Ghost in the Machine]

2. Were we greeted as liberators?

I didn't think so...

:hi:

[trollybob]

3. What were those Afghan police doing on our land?