AFHGANISTAN: TERRORIST TARGETED, CHILDREN KILLED IN THE ATTACK [CENTCOM]

CENTCOM ^ | Dec. 7, 2003

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

	NEWS RELEASE HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND 7115 South Boundary Boulevard MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101 Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894

December 7, 2003
Release Number: 03-12-12


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


AFHGANISTAN: TERRORIST TARGETED, CHILDREN KILLED IN THE ATTACK

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – At approximately 10:30 a.m. local time Dec. 6, coalition aircraft south of Ghazni attacked with gunfire a suspected terrorist known to be responsible for recently murdering two Ring Road contractors.

Coalition forces acted after intelligence determined the known terrorist was at the isolated rural site. Following the attack, Coalition ground forces searching the area found the bodies of both the intended target and those of nine children nearby.

Coalition forces are remaining in the area and over the next several days will make every effort to assist the families of these innocent casualties and determine the cause of the civilian deaths.

As a result of this tragic incident, a commission is being formed to investigate the circumstances of the event and will conduct an immediate on-site assessment. Coalition forces regret the loss of any innocent life. Coalition forces follow stringent rules of engagement to specifically avoid this type of incident while continuing to target terrorists who threaten the future of Afghanistan.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Coalition ground forces searching the area found the bodies of both the intended target and those of nine children nearby.

Coalition forces are remaining in the area and over the next several days will make every effort to assist the families of these innocent casualties and determine the cause of the civilian deaths.

As a result of this tragic incident, a commission is being formed to investigate the circumstances of the event and will conduct an immediate on-site assessment.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Prayers for our Coalition troops and the Afghan victims.

8 Nine children found dead after U.S. attack in southern Afghanistan ~ [our troops risk their lives daily to save such children from enemies who continue to place the innocent in harm's way.] ~  AP | 12/06/03

[geedee]

While this is certainly disturbing news, it's refreshing to know that this administration tries, for the most part, to be upfront about things.

By the way, thanks for posting items from CentCom. Idiots like me wouldn't stand a chance of keeping up without FReepers like you.

[armymarinemom]

News source for you. I've found a source that has multiple news articles on the Afghan area. Afghan News Net

[VOA]

Although I doubt it, I can't help wondering if the "target" used the nine children
as human shields.
He might have been sitting there telling himself "With all these children around me,
the Americans will never attack me here!"

But, still it's a very sad thing. I'm sure there are some US Military personnel
feeling pretty bad about this one.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thank you, amm.

How's your son doing?

This attack is suspiciously similar to another, staged by our enemies, exploited by our enemy press ~ helping to turn public opinion against both our awesome troops and the war, and to drive US troops out of Vietnam.

This is war.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

You're very welcome.

Thank goodness for FR, and CENTCOM facts. (^:

[armymarinemom]

This attack is suspiciously similar to another, staged by our enemies, exploited by our enemy press

I haven't heard much from the son in Iraq. I did talk to my son in Afghanistan yesterday. From his conversation I don't think he knew anything about this attack but he did cover the rocket attack on his own camp. The press barely mentioned this attack yesterday and reported that no casualties for our side. What hog wash. The soldier that was injured yesterday will most likely get the bronze star for his injuries. He put his life on the line in a big way to divert a rocket that was about to be launched thus harming himself!

Both Saddam and the Taliban have been noted for committing atrocities to put blame on our troops. The press eats it up like sugar. Middle Eastern tactics can't be examined by Western standards. They just don't fight the way that we do.

[freeangel]

I'm not wondering in the least that the target surrounded himself with children as human shields. It is the signature of these cowardly POSs to destroy innocents.

[blackie]

Prayers for our Coalition troops and the Afghan victims ~ Bump!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

I haven't seen any press accounts of our hero Soldier who was injured while potentially saving many lives yesterday, have you?

Also, since AP was hooked up to a Taliban bad guy responsible for attacks on our troops, wouldn't AP be able to trace his location?

Taliban spokesman Mullah Abdul Hakim Latifi said the bombings was carried out by fighters from the hard-line Islamic movement, ousted from power by U.S. forces two years ago. Speaking with The Associated Press in Kandahar by satellite telephone, he said the Taliban bomb was meant for U.S. soldiers shopping at the bazaar, but went off later than planned.

8 Taliban: Afghan Blast Targeted Americans -also phone update

[armymarinemom]

I haven't seen any press accounts of our hero Soldier who was injured while potentially saving many lives yesterday, have you?

Nope haven't read a word about it anywhere. Believe me I have looked and the press is keep this quite.

Also, since AP was hooked up to a Taliban bad guy responsible for attacks on our troops, wouldn't AP be able to trace his location?

Maddening isn't it? We keep hearing the same thing over and over in Iraq too. It seems the press is a lot more concerning with covering the story that saving lives. It would seem that they have crossed an unethical line and know that the world would have to depend on them to admit it.

[prairiebreeze]

[prairiebreeze]

You have Freepmail

Prairie

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

I agree. We need Freepers behind enemy lines to cover the war for the troops.

I get lost in the mall parking lot, or I'd be there delivering mail, at least. (^:

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!