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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| UK troops kill Afghan civilians | UK troops kill Afghan civilians |
| (about 1 hour 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 north of Sangin town centre in Helmand Province, suspecting that those inside were insurgents, Nato said. | Soldiers opened fire on the vehicle north of Sangin town centre in Helmand Province, suspecting that those inside were insurgents, Nato said. |
| The wounded were taken to a field hospital at the UK's Camp Bastion. | The wounded were taken to a field hospital at the UK's Camp Bastion. |
| The Ministry of Defence expressed regret over the incident and said the driver had ignored warning shots. | The Ministry of Defence expressed regret over the incident and said the driver had ignored warning shots. |
| A spokesman said there was always a risk vehicles which failed to stop could contain explosives. | A spokesman said there was always a risk vehicles which failed to stop could contain explosives. |
| He added: "It's regrettable that this has happened but it's very hard to make these decisions." | He added: "It's regrettable that this has happened but it's very hard to make these decisions." |
| The International Security Assistance Force said the situation had been "caused by the reckless actions of the vehicle driver''. | The International Security Assistance Force said the situation had been "caused by the reckless actions of the vehicle driver''. |
| An investigation into the incident is to take place. | An investigation into the incident is to take place. |
| British medical personnel treated the three injured civilians at the scene before they were taken to the nearby Camp Inkerman for further checks. | British medical personnel treated the three injured civilians at the scene before they were taken to the nearby Camp Inkerman for further checks. |
| They were later transferred by helicopter to Camp Bastion. | They were later transferred by helicopter to Camp Bastion. |
| Suicide attacks | Suicide attacks |
| Helmand is one of the most dangerous areas in Afghanistan, with Taleban insurgents active. | Helmand is one of the most dangerous areas in Afghanistan, with Taleban insurgents active. |
| The BBC's Alastair Leithead said it had been a "bad week" for troops at Camp Inkerman. | The BBC's Alastair Leithead said it had been a "bad week" for troops at Camp Inkerman. |
| Dog handler L/Cpl Kenneth Michael Rowe, 24, was killed after a patrol came under attack from the Taleban and a soldier was injured when a British mortar bomb fell short. | |
| In June, a suicide bomber killed three troops in the area. | In June, a suicide bomber killed three troops in the area. |
| Our correspondent said: "Suicide attacks are a major risk in the Sangin valley." | 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. |