President Hamid Karzai Orders Investigation into Civilian Casualties Incident
President Hamid Karzai expressed his regret at the death of civilians in Greshk district of Helmand province and ordered an immediate investigation into the incident. Elders reported to local authorities that they had recovered the bodies of 45 civilians killed in the air strikes on two villages in Helmand province on Friday June 29th but the figures have not been independently verified. The President has several times emphasized that all military operations by international forces must be carried out in coordination with the Afghan government authorities.
The President assigned an inquiry commission, which includes some MPs from Helmand province, to visit the site and report back to him as soon as possible. The President also instructed the Afghan Defense Minister to ensure the implementation of a mechanism for avoiding civilian casualties that has already been established by a joint commission of Afghan and international security forces. Further steps and necessary decisions will be taken in the light of the findings of this inquiry commission.
President Karzai strongly condemned the terrorists' acts that use civilians as human shields and their houses as bases, thus putting the lives of innocent women and children at risk.
