02.25 am, Sunday November 08 2009

Afghan woman's death not by Diggers: ADF

16:04 AEST Sat Jul 4 2009
VIEWS: 0
| FLOCKS: 0
| comments0 comments so far

Defence says it's unlikely Australian troops were responsible for the death of a civilian woman during an operation in Afghanistan earlier this year.

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is investigating claims Australian soldiers killed four men and wounded two others during a firefight in April.

But it is confident the Taliban were responsible for the death of a woman who was injured during the incident.

Director general of Military Strategic Commitments Brigadier Rick Burr told SBS the cause of her death was "inconclusive".

"It is most likely that this particular casualty was caused by the Taliban," he told the SBS Dateline program to be aired on Sunday.

Australian troops have been accused of killing a number of civilians during operations in the strife-torn country.

In September 2008, soldiers opened fire and killed important tribal leader and opponent of the Taliban, Rozi Khan.

Others include a six-month-old baby, a teenage girl, five children and two suspected suicide bombers later found to be unarmed.

The brother of one suspected suicide bomber, 24-year-old father of four Rahz Mohammad, says there is no excuse for such errors.

"How can we forgive them? They deliberately killed my brother, who hadn't threatened them or fired at them," the brother told Dateline.

Afghan parliamentarian Haji Abdul Khaliq also believes Australian Special Forces troops killed and maimed his relatives.

Mr Khaliq said the 2006 attack on his relative's car killed his brother-in-law Abdul Baqi, blinded his wife and badly injured his daughter, who later had her leg amputated.

His son and a niece and nephew were also injured.

"Members of my family ... were shot in their car by the Australians," he told SBS.

"Their (Australian) tanks were standing right on the hill ridge, the governor recognised them and so did the chief of police, they established they were Australians."

His claims have been assessed by the ADF which says there is no substance to them.

"The assessment found that there is no evidence ... that Australian Special Forces were involved in this incident," ADF chief Angus Houston told Dateline.

 
SHARE:
MESSENGER
FACEBOOK
MORE
Blog on Spaces
Add to delicious
Add to Digg
Share on MySpace
?
Share, bookmark, and save your favourite ninemsn articles and features.  Learn more.

Most popular

 Vain burglar sends newspaper new mugshotA fugitive burglar in the UK has taunted police by sending a photograph of himself to a local newspaper — and saying he prefers it to his mugshot.
 Fans storm out of Britney concertAngry fans have marched out of Britney Spears' debut Australian concert in protest of the star's "really bad" performance.
 Floodwaters recede on NSW north coastFloodwaters have mostly receded on the NSW mid north coast, freeing thousands of people from isolation.
 Fans walk out on Britney's lip-synchingLip-synching didn't cut it for Perth fans who walked out on Britney Spears after only three songs at her first Australian concert on Friday night.
 Learner 'clocked 100km/h over limit'A learner driver was allegedly caught speeding at more than 100km/h above the legal limit during a police chase in the Hunter Valley.
 Mum allegedly steals own baby from careA NSW woman has been charged after allegedly taking her new-born baby from a hospital in the state's central west where it had been placed into care.
 Sex-crazed couple 'bashed cabbie with stilettos'A couple allegedly hijacked a taxi in Adelaide and bashed the driver with a pair of stilettos, demanding they be allowed "privacy" in the back seat.
 Cop hailed for ending gunman's rampageThe female police officer who took down the man responsible for killing 13 people at a Texas military base yesterday has been hailed a heroine.
 Teenager facing more charges over crashA Perth teenager with no driver's licence faces further charges after a boy died following a car crash.
 Right-to-die baby 'likes music': courtAn ill baby whose parents are divided over whether he should be allowed to die has shown signs that he likes music, the High Court in London has heard.
After the delugeParts of NSW declared natural disaster areas following huge storm. Mark Donaldson, the first Aussie to be awarded the VC in 40 years, will meet the Queen next week. (AAP)Hero's honourAustralia's first VC recipient in 40 years to meet the Queen. Morgan Freeman (AAP)Crash compoFreeman settles lawsuit over infamous late-night smash. Burning questionThe subject of bushfire hazard reduction has sparked a political fire. Deck dangerHow to prevent a balcony collapse at your home. Katy Perry in one of her cheeky outfits. (AAP)Cheeky ceremony PHOTOS: All the glamour from the MTV European Awards.
advertisement
Britney bombs Outraged fans storm out of Britney's 'really bad' first show in Australia ... read more Beauty brawl Miss England relinquishes crown after alleged fight in a Manchester nightclub ... read more Mother stopped rampage Cop praised for gunning down US military base shooter during killing spree ... read more Rihanna's regret Pop star reveals she went back to Brown after he bashed her
... read more
Baby sealed in box Mum and minder charged after missing child found under babysitter's bed ... read more No Mickey Mouse show, please Britney told to deliver 'more than a film clip' as lip-sync debate heats up ... read more Become a Nine News breaker Seen or heard something? Send tip-offs, images and video from your mobile or PC ... contact us
'Here's a new mugshot'UK fugitive taunts police by supplying photograph to local newspaper
You need the latest version of Flash Player.
Enjoy the most vivid content on the web
Watch video without extra features
Interact with applications on your favourite sites
Upgrade now

page complete
Other ninemsn businesses: iSelect RateCity
© 1997-2009 ninemsn Pty Ltd - All rights reserved