Two civilians killed, one injured in Zerekoh Valley by IED

HERAT PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

08.16.2010

Courtesy Story

NATO Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan

By Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan Public Affairs

HERAT, Afghanistan – A vehicle carrying five Afghan civilians struck an improvised explosive device in Herat province Aug. 16 killing an adult male, a 4-year-old boy and wounding an adult female.

“Regardless of culture or creed, there is no honor in indiscriminately targeting women, children and other innocent people,” said Marine Sgt. Brian Kester, a Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan spokesperson.

The family’s car hit the IED while driving through Sanowghan village, Shindand district in Zerekoh Valley. After the explosion, the grandmother was carried into a combat outpost for treatment where she was treated by U.S. Special Operations Forces medical personnel. The medical staff provided immediate medical treatment to the victim and requested a helicopter for transfer to a medical facility in the Shindand area for follow-on care.

While Afghan and Coalition forces continue to avoid non-combatant casualties, Kester said the insurgents are determined on dragging Afghanistan back into chaos and must be held accountable for endangering the lives and future of the Afghan people.

Recent insurgent-caused civilian casualty data, released by the independent Afghan Rights Monitor, estimates insurgent actions have caused 1,074 civilian deaths since January 2010.

“We know that our condolences cannot make up for the injuries caused, but we have offered this out of respect for the long traditions of the people of Afghanistan,” Kester said.

• Date Taken: 08.16.2010
• Date Posted: 08.18.2010 03:05
• Story ID: 54744
• Location: HERAT PROVINCE, AF