Karzai Orders Inquiry Into Fatal US Airstrike

Military, Afghans spar over whether 15 victims were Taliban, civilians
Posted Jul 6, 2008 12:06 PM CDT
Karzai Orders Inquiry Into Fatal US Airstrike
An Afghan boy, who allegedly got wounded by U.S. airstrikes in Waygal district of Nuristan province, lies on a bed at a hospital east of Kabul, July 5, 2008.   (AP Photo)

Afghan President Hamid Karzai today ordered an investigation into a US-led airstrike on Friday that killed 15 people. At issue is whether the victims were armed Taliban, as the US military claims, or the innocent civilians that an Afghan governor believes died.

The controversy underscores Afghans' longstanding sentiment that coalition forces are less than careful in planning attacks that may risk civilians. Government and coalition troops have killed 255 so far this year; the Taliban has killed 445.

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