Joint Press Release
February 17, 2009
Release Number: 20091702-03
Improvised explosive device blast kills five in Kandahar
KABUL, Afghanistan - The Afghan Highway Patrol, assisted by Coalition forces, responded to a blast that killed five Afghan civilians in the Shah Wali Kot district, Kandahar province, Feb. 16.
While conducting a combat reconnaissance patrol, the Coalition forces received a telephone call from an Afghan Highway Patrol element notifying them that a vehicle carrying Afghan civilians had hit an improvised explosive device near a radio station tower. The Afghan Highway Patrol and Coalition forces moved to the blast site to investigate the situation. Upon arrival, the elements discovered that five innocent Afghan citizens had been killed in the explosion. Almost immediately, the Afghan Highway Patrol and Coalition forces began taking small-arms fire from several militants. The combined force returned fire and secured the area. Two militants were killed with precision strikes.
After securing the area, the Afghan Highway Patrol conducted a key leader engagement with local village elders.
No other Afghan Highway Patrol, Coalition forces or civilian casualties have been reported.
"Once again the enemies of Afghanistan have shown their ruthless disregard for Afghan lives through the indiscriminate murder of five innocent family members," said Lt. Col. Rick Helmer, a U.S. Forces-Afghanistan spokesperson. "This is a sad example of the militants' indiscriminate targeting of civilians and continues to prove they have no regard for human life.
"To the families of those victims, we extend our heartfelt sympathies," said Colonel Helmer. "Nothing can replace the loss of a loved one, but be assured that Afghan and Coalition forces will do their utmost to have those responsible for this heinous act answer for their crime."
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Contact information:
- Ministry of Interior, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Directorate of Media and Public Relations, office telephone: 93 (0) 220 1758
- US Forces Afghanistan Public Affairs, office telephone: 93 (0) 799 51 2919
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