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UK troops kill Afghan civilians | UK troops kill Afghan civilians |
(10 minutes later) | |
British troops in southern Afghanistan have killed four civilians and injured three others after a vehicle failed to stop at a checkpoint. | British troops in southern Afghanistan have killed four civilians and injured three others after a vehicle failed to stop at a checkpoint. |
Soldiers opened fire on the vehicle in the Sangin district of Helmand, suspecting that those inside were insurgents, Nato said. | Soldiers opened fire on the vehicle in the Sangin district of Helmand, suspecting that those inside were insurgents, Nato said. |
The wounded Afghans were taken to a field hospital at the UK's Camp Bastion for treatment. | The wounded Afghans were taken to a field hospital at the UK's Camp Bastion for treatment. |
The International Security Assistance Force expressed regret at the incident. | The International Security Assistance Force expressed regret at the incident. |
However, it said the situation had been "caused by the reckless actions of the vehicle driver''. | However, it said the situation had been "caused by the reckless actions of the vehicle driver''. |
The BBC's Alistair Leithead said it had been a "bad week" for troops at the nearby Inkerman base, where the Afghans were initially taken for treatment. | |
A dog handler was killed after a patrol came under attack from the Taleban and a soldier was injured when a British mortar bomb fell short. | |
Suicide attacks | |
And, in June, a suicide bomber killed three troops in the area. | |
Our correspondent said: "Suicide attacks are a major risk in the Sangin valley." | |
In recent years there have been a number of such incidents. | In recent years there have been a number of such incidents. |
Troops have warned civilians to keep away from their convoys and checkpoints. | Troops have warned civilians to keep away from their convoys and checkpoints. |
However, some Afghans, apparently unaware that they are seen as a threat, have failed to heed these warnings. | However, some Afghans, apparently unaware that they are seen as a threat, have failed to heed these warnings. |
Helmand is one of the most dangerous areas in Afghanistan, with Taleban insurgents active in the region. | Helmand is one of the most dangerous areas in Afghanistan, with Taleban insurgents active in the region. |