AFGHANISTAN: Afghan daily demands probe into civilian casualties
Posted by warvictims on July 10, 2008
By BBC Worldwide Monitoring
Text of editorial in Pashto entitled “Again they bombed innocent people” published by state-owned Afghan newspaper Hewad on 7 July
The coalition military forces’ bombing raid on a wedding ceremony in the Haska Mina area of Shinwar in Nangarhar once again shocked compatriots yesterday. Dozens of civilians, including women and children, were killed in the bombing raid. There were neither any armed Taleban nor any Al-Qa’idah fighters [among them]. But, the bride was being taken from one village to another. The coalition forces unexpectedly dropped bombs on them. Dozens of innocent civilians, including women and children, were killed and many others were wounded in the attack.
Many families mourned their deaths rather than enjoying the wedding. We do not know how the coalition forces will justify this merciless bombing raid? The coalition forces bombed people in Nurestan some days ago who were evacuating their areas on their [coalition troops'] instructions. The governor of Nurestan, the head of relevant district and the local people unanimously said that all of those killed were civilians and not terrorists. However, the coalition forces have not yet admitted their mistake and say all those killed were terrorists.
This is an attempt to deceive the people. All tribes and people in Haska Mina District went to the place that was bombed yesterday and recovered the bodies from the debris and buried them in their cemeteries and took the wounded to clinics and hospitals. There was not even a single insurgent among those killed and wounded. The residents of Haska Mina have strongly supported the formation of the system and all government programmes from the very outset. Armed opponents tried their utmost to consolidate their influence in this district and incite people against the government and international forces.
Armed insurgents infiltrated into the remote mountainous areas of this district a year ago and wanted to establish a centre there. However, the peace loving people of this district expelled them from the district. The terrorists failed to find a place among the people there. This initiative and patriotism of the courageous people of Haska Mina should have been commended. Unfortunately, they were bombed rather than being commended. We demand a thorough investigation into the incident and the main culprits should be identified and brought to justice. We once again stress that arbitrary bombing raids and operations should end and civilian casualties should be avoided.
