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US raid kills two Afghan children
Sat, 03 Nov 2007 07:01:12
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Taliban fighters have overrun a second district in western Afghanistan
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An attack by US and Afghan troops in eastern Afghanistan has ignited a gun battle that killed three people, including two children.
The latest civilian casualties in Afghanistan came as US and Afghan troops raided a compound suspected of harboring militants belonging to a suicide bombing network. They were fired on as they approached late Wednesday in Bati Kot district in Nangarhar province, said Maj. Chris Belcher, a spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition.
Civilian casualties have incited resentment and demonstrations against U.S. and NATO forces, though officials blame militants who use civilian homes as cover during clashes. President Hamid Karzai has pleaded with western forces to do all they can to prevent such deaths.
In another development on Friday, Taliban fighters have overrun a second district in western Afghanistan. The police and administration heads of the strategic Bakwa district in Farah province had fled after days of attacks by scores of rebels, the official said, after the militants late Monday took the adjacent Gulistan district.
Bakwa police had made a "tactical withdrawal" to Delaram district after a new Taliban attack late Thursday, said Delaram governor Yahya Riadth.Farah police Chief Abdul Rehman Sarjang said one policeman was killed and one wounded in the heavy fighting in Bakwa overnight. "An unknown number of Taliban were also killed and wounded".
The violence in Afghanistan has claimed at least 5,000 lives this year, with most of the dead rebel fighters, according to a tally of tolls released by various officials.
SG/HAR
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