ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan
2011-05-S-057
For Immediate Release
 
KABUL, Afghanistan (May 16, 2011) – An International Security Assistance Force Joint Incident Assessment Team, comprised of members from ISAF and Afghan security forces, is looking into allegations of civilian casualties in Ghazi Abad District, Kunar Province yesterday.

An ISAF outpost observed four armed individuals in camouflage moving into an historical fighting position which has been used to attack the outpost everyday from May 9 to 16. The position was located in a remote area, well away from any villages.

According to reporting, the individuals were observed with weapons and moving objects. The outpost believed the individuals were fortifying the fighting position. The individuals then raised a flag, which is an historical precursor to an imminent attack.

The outpost declared an imminent threat and after gaining positive identification of the armed individuals, the outpost engaged the individuals killing them.

Approximately one hour after the engagement the outpost observed individuals at the impact site removing objects.

Following the engagement, ISAF was made aware of civilian casualty claims through the media. The civilian casualty claims varied ranging from five women killed to one boy killed and four others wounded.

“The varying claims of civilian casualties around this incident are the reason ISAF is looking into this,” said U.S. Army Col. Hans E. Bush, chief of ISAF Joint Command Public Affairs. “We go to extraordinary lengths to avoid civilian casualties, we do not want to be responsible for the loss of a single innocent life and that is why we continually look into these allegations, so we can find ways to prevent them in the future.”