Karzai Gives Last Warning to Nato

Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Sunday issued 'last warning' to Nato to stop raids which claim civilian lives.

The warning came after 14 civilians were allegedly killed in a Nato air strike in southern Helmand province.

A statement by President Karzai's Office says the Afghan government has repeatedly asked Nato to stop such raids and that this was a last warning to Nato.

The air strike was carried out in Nawzad district of Helmand province after US troops base came under attack by insurgents.

The incident happened on Saturday at 11:00 am local time when US marines called in air support after the attack on their base, the provincial governor's office told TOLOnews reporter.

During the air strike, two residential houses were targeted in which 14 civilians were killed and six others were wounded, officials added.

Two women, five girls and seven boys were killed, governor's office said.

Meanwhile, Isaf said it was aware of the allegations and that it has sent a team to the area to investigate the incident.

Civilians have previously been killed ‘mistakenly' in foreign forces' air strikes.

The mistaken killing of civilians in Afghanistan has been one of the controversial issues that have sometimes strained relations between Kabul and Washington.

On Wednesday 42 people including 20 civilians were killed in a Nato air strike in eastern Nuristan province.

Militants in Doab district of Nuristan reportedly used civilian houses as shields when Nato targeted them.

Violence has recently increased in different parts of Afghanistan as the country is approaching the first phase of security transition scheduled to begin in July this year.

Joint military operations are underway in volatile regions to clear insurgency as Taliban militants have stepped up their attacks.

Source : Tolo News

Written Here by : Abu Mohammad Noorzai