U.S., Afghan forces mistakenly trade fire
In a case of mistaken identity on both sides, U.S. special forces killed six Afghan police officers and wounded 13 after the Afghan fired on the Americans during an operation against an insurgent commander.
A U.S. military statement said police officers fired on the American forces after the troops battled and killed a militant in the city of Qalat, capital of the southern province of Zabol. The Americans returned fire on the police but only later learned their identities. An Afghan civilian was also killed.
“Coalition forces deeply regret the incident of mistaken fire,” said Col. Jerry O’Hara, a U.S. military spokesman.
Gulab Shah Alikheil, the province’s deputy governor, confirmed that police officers opened fire on the troops thinking they were Taliban attackers.
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