11/8/2009

in

Incident called one of the worst during eight year war.

Robyn Chelsea-Seifert

An investigation is underway in what is being described as one of the worst "friendly fire" incidents in an eight-year war.  
  
A mis-targeted NATO air strike called to help troops fight rebels in the remote Badghis province of western Afghanistan has left four army soldiers and three police officers dead. The strike occurred while NATO and Afghan forces were searching for two American paratroopers who went missing on Wednesday during a "routine re-supply mission." They were met by Taliban insurgents on Friday.  
  
According to a statement released by Afghanistan's Defense Ministry the casualties included the four Afghan soldiers, three police and an Afghan civilian working with the army. Fifteen Afghan soldiers, two Afghan police, five U.S. service members under ISAF, and a civilian working with Afghan troops were wounded.  
  
Interior and defense ministries confirmed they have joined NATO in efforts to investigate the incident.