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This is an archive article published on May 14, 2009
95 KIDS KILLED IN US-TALIBAN CLASHES
Ninety-five Afghan children are among the 140 people said to have died in a recent US-Taliban battle in western Afghanistan....
Written by Associated Press
Kabul | May 14, 2009 12:42 AM IST
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Ninety-five Afghan children are among the 140 people said to have died in a recent US-Taliban battle in western Afghanistan,according to a list drawn up by Afghan officials,a lawmaker said on Wednesday. However,the US military disputed the claim.
Afghans blame US airstrikes for the deaths and destruction in the villages of Gerani and Ganjabad in Farah province. Sixty-five of the reported victims on the list were women,either adults or children,said lawmaker Obaidullah Helali from Farah,who is also a member of the Governments investigative team.
If the Afghan toll is correct,it would be the largest case of civilian deaths since the 2001 US-led invasion to oust the Taliban.
US military spokesman Col Greg Julian said: There is no physical proof that can substantiate the Afghan list of victims. The US has refused to release a number of people it thinks died in the May 4-5 clash in Farah8217;s Bala Baluk district.
Julian said militants are to blame for the deaths because they kept villagers hostage during the fight. The Red Cross also has said that women and children were among dozens of dead people its teams saw in the two villages.
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