This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/7146440.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
'Many' Musa Qala civilians died 'Many' Musa Qala civilians died
(about 2 hours later)
People in Musa Qala have told the BBC there were significant civilian casualties in the operation to take the Afghan town from the Taleban.People in Musa Qala have told the BBC there were significant civilian casualties in the operation to take the Afghan town from the Taleban.
One resident, Wali Mohammed, said he had counted 15 bodies of women and children lying dead in one street.One resident, Wali Mohammed, said he had counted 15 bodies of women and children lying dead in one street.
The Afghan authorities have said that civilian casualties were far smaller. UK officials say two children died. The Afghan authorities have said that civilian casualties were far smaller. UK officials say only two children died, as a result of Taleban action.
The south-western town fell to a coalition of British and American forces earlier this week. The town fell to a coalition of British and American forces earlier this week.
"The only civilian casualties we are aware of... occurred in an incident in which the Taleban ordered a family to leave a compound and drive at speed towards Isaf (International Security Assistance Force) troops," said the UK Ministry of Defence in a statement.
"The Isaf troops followed correct procedures, thinking the vehicle was a suicide bomber, and fired at it. This resulted in the death of two children who were in the back of the vehicle and were not visible to the troops," said the MOD.
Prime targetPrime target
People who fled from Musa Qala are beginning to return, but nearly all of the shops remain closed and the town shows scars from the bombardment that drove out the Taleban. People who fled from Musa Qala are beginning to return, but nearly all of the shops remain closed and the town shows scars from the bombardment that drove out the Taleban, reports the BBC's David Loyn from Musa Qala.
The British have offered to build a mosque, schools and a health clinic, but one man said angrily he did not need any of that, he just wanted security. The British have offered to build a mosque, schools and a health clinic, but one man angrily told the BBC did not need any of that, he just wanted security.
Eleven-year-old Aktar Mohammed, who remained in the town during the battle, said many of his family members had been killed and their bodies lied under the rubble. Eleven-year-old Aktar Mohammed, who remained in the town during the battle, said many of his family members had been killed and their bodies lay under the rubble.
But the Ministry of Defence said the operation was designed to limit collateral damage, adding it "designed to win over the local people and we could not do that if we levelled their homes".
The Afghan army, supported by a small British base, will now try to hold the town that has faced rocket attacks from the Taleban almost every day since they left.The Afghan army, supported by a small British base, will now try to hold the town that has faced rocket attacks from the Taleban almost every day since they left.
It is remote, at the end of a vulnerable supply route and a prime target for counter-attacks by the insurgents.It is remote, at the end of a vulnerable supply route and a prime target for counter-attacks by the insurgents.