NATO Apologizes After Western Troops Accidentally Kill Cleric in Afghanistan
Christopher Weber
Correspondent
Posted:
01/29/10
Western troops in Afghanistan killed an Islamic cleric after mistaking him for a potential suicide bomber, it was reported Friday.
NATO "expressed regret" for the death, acknowledging that its soldiers opened fire on what they considered to be a "threatening vehicle," according to the Los Angeles Times. Witnesses said the cleric's car was struck by multiple rounds Thursday near a U.S. military base on the eastern edge of Kabul.
The nationality of the Western troops involved was not known.
Afghan officials said two of the cleric's children were in the car with him but were not hurt.
The victim was identified as Mullah Mohammad Yunus, an imam, or mosque preacher. Relatives said he was on his way to a nearby religious school when the fatal shooting occurred, the Times reported.
NATO "expressed regret" for the death, acknowledging that its soldiers opened fire on what they considered to be a "threatening vehicle," according to the Los Angeles Times. Witnesses said the cleric's car was struck by multiple rounds Thursday near a U.S. military base on the eastern edge of Kabul.
The nationality of the Western troops involved was not known.
Afghan officials said two of the cleric's children were in the car with him but were not hurt.
The victim was identified as Mullah Mohammad Yunus, an imam, or mosque preacher. Relatives said he was on his way to a nearby religious school when the fatal shooting occurred, the Times reported.