U.S. Explains Not Firing on Suspected Taliban
The U.S. military acknowledged that it considered bombing a group of more than 100 suspected Taliban insurgents in southern Afghanistan but decided not to after determining that they were on the grounds of a cemetery.
The decision came to light after an NBC News correspondent’s blog carried a photograph of the insurgents. Pentagon officials first tried to block further publication of the photo, then struggled to explain what it depicted.
NBC News said U.S. Army officers had wanted to attack the group but were prevented under rules of battlefield engagement.
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