ISAF airstrike kills 5 students in Parwan

CHARIKAR) air raid in the Siagird district of central Parwan province, local officials claimed on Thursday.

But the NATO-led force insisted the dead were “enemy combatants”. Brig. Gen. Mohammad Zaman Mamozay, the provincial police chief, told Pajhwok Afghan News ISAF forces mistakenly hit the students. 

However, the multinational force said: “ISAF confirms a coalition precision strike resulted in the death of five enemy combatants during an operation in Siagird (Ghorband) district.”

Amir Sattar, a local elder, said the students were busy preparing for a university entry test when they were attacked.

ISAF said while performing reconnaissance on an area known to be used by combatants, coalition aircraft identified militants travelling in an open area. 

A statement from the force said that after ensuring they were well clear of any civilians, the aircraft engaged them with precision munitions.

ra/rm/mud