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MoD investigates 'friendly fire' MoD investigates 'friendly fire'
(about 2 hours later)
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is trying to find out why a British helicopter accidentally fired on UK paratroops in Afghanistan, wounding nine. The Ministry of Defence is trying to find out why a British helicopter accidentally fired on UK paratroops in Afghanistan, wounding nine.
Three of the soldiers were seriously hurt in the incident on Wednesday. All of their families have been informed.Three of the soldiers were seriously hurt in the incident on Wednesday. All of their families have been informed.
It was the first known occurrence of so-called "friendly fire" by UK air support on UK forces in Afghanistan, BBC correspondent Caroline Wyatt said. It was the first known occurrence of so-called friendly fire by UK air support on UK forces in Afghanistan.
Six of the injured service personnel have returned to duty, the MoD added. Six of the wounded have returned to duty. Two are stable in a field hospital. One is returning to the UK.
Two are stable and under observation in the field hospital at Camp Bastion. That person is also described as stable.
One soldier is on the way back to the UK. The MoD said soldiers from 2 Para were on a routine patrol near the British forward operating base, Gibraltar, when they encountered Taleban fighters at 1227 local time.
The MoD said soldiers from 2 Para were on a routine patrol near the British forward operating base when they encountered Taleban fighters at 1227 local time.
The paratroops called in support from a British Apache helicopter, which successfully fired on a Taleban position.The paratroops called in support from a British Apache helicopter, which successfully fired on a Taleban position.
But then in the confusion of what the MoD termed a "rapidly-changing situation", it fired again on another position which the crew believed was held by the enemy.But then in the confusion of what the MoD termed a "rapidly-changing situation", it fired again on another position which the crew believed was held by the enemy.
An investigation is now under way as to how the incident occurred.An investigation is now under way as to how the incident occurred.