6 Afghan police killed in mistaken US strike

6 Afghan police killed in mistaken US strike

www.etaiwannews.com

U.S. Special Forces killed six Afghan police and wounded at least 11 early Wednesday in a case of mistaken identity after the police fired on the Americans during an operation against an insurgent commander, officials said.

A U.S. military statement said police fired on the American forces after the troops battled and killed an armed militant in the city of Qalat, the capital of the southern province of Zabul. The Americans returned fire on the police but only later learned their identities.

"Coalition forces deeply regret the incident of mistaken fire," said Col. Jerry O'Hara, a U.S. military spokesman. "Initial reports indicate this was a tragic case of mistaken identity on both parts."

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Do these people really think that they can just go where ever they want and start shooting at people without letting the local authorities know what's going on and expect that their is going to be no retaliation or problems? Also, doesn't the U.S. have satellites that can zoom into locations? I understand that they may have been under fire and all but wouldn't (or shouldn't) they have contacted someone to verify that they were hostiles that were firing upon them and not local soldiers or police (seeing as how they admitted that they just attacked and killed "an insurgent commander".

As a side note, I am wondering if the insurgent commander was truly what they say or if they are just saying that to cover up their huge mess up. Seems the U.S likes to take the stand of shoot first and ask questions later but it really doesn't matter seeing as how they form their opinions (without evidence most of the time) and once it's formed, damned if anyone will change their minds, no matter how much evidence is shown to contradict them.

www.etaiwannews.com
(visit the link for the full news article)