Keep the kiddies inside, because we know they won't get killed if the US sees them playing outside.The seven children who died in a Coalition airstrike on a compound in Zarghun Shah District, Paktika Province, last night were held inside the building throughout the day according to other children who survived the airstrike.
Coalition forces did not believe any children were in, or around, the compound during the day and ordered the strike believing the target was inside. “We are truly sorry for the innocent lives lost in this attack,” said Army Maj. Chris Belcher, a Coalition spokesman. “We had surveillance on the compound all day and saw no indications there were children inside the building.”
Al-Qaida operatives have hidden amongst the people of Afghanistan in the past and caused unnecessary injury, and often death, to law-abiding citizens. Witness statements taken early this morning clearly put the blame on the suspected terrorists saying that if the children attempted to go outside they were beaten and pushed away from the door.
Provincial government officials are meeting with local elders and Coalition officials today to look into the matter.