Eight Afghan Civilians Said Killed in Clashes in East
BBC Monitoring
Text of report in English by Afghan independent Pajhwok news agency website
Asadabad, 30 August: Eight civilians have been killed in a clash between Taleban and NATO troops in Manogai District of the eastern Konar Province.
A district official, requesting anonymity, told Pajhwok Afghan News on Thursday the clash took place this morning.
The official said the civilians died after Taleban fired rockets on a NATO base and the foreign troops retaliated.
Spokesman for NATO troops in the eastern zone Rahmanullah told Pajhwok the troops fired in the same direction from where their base was attacked with rockets early in the morning.
Rejecting civilian casualties in firing by NATO troops, the spokesman said the collateral damage was caused by Taleban attack on the NATO base.
Deputy police chief Gen Abdol Sabur Allahyar confirmed the civilian casualties but would not say who was responsible for their killing.
He said the incident was being investigated. Taleban so far did not issue any comment.
Source: Pajhwok Afghan News website, Kabul, in English 1253 gmt 30 Aug 07
BBC Monitoring
