USSF Mistakenly Kill 6 Afghan Police (FALSE HEADLINE)

Richard · 12-10-2008, 07:43

In today's news. I'll wait to hear the rest of the story.

Richard's $.02

US Special Forces Mistakenly Kill 6 Afghan Police
Jason Straziuso, AP
9 Dec 2008

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081210/...as_afghanistan

U.S. Special Forces killed six Afghan police and wounded 13 early Wednesday in a case of mistaken identity by both sides 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. One Afghan civilian was also killed in the exchange.

"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."

Gulab Shah Alikhail, the province's deputy governor, said U.S. Special Forces carried out an operation in a small village near a police checkpoint on the outskirts of Qalat. The police, thinking it was a Taliban attack, opened fire, he said. Then a helicopter fired on the security post and destroyed it, he said.

The attack collapsed the police station's roof and damaged a civilian home nearby, said Gilani Khan, the deputy provincial police chief.

"Unfortunately, the Special Forces didn't inform the police that they were going to the village," Alikhail said.

U.S. officials quietly admit that they are hesitant to share detailed plans of raids against militant commanders for fear that government officials connected to the Taliban could tip off the militants of the impending operation.

The U.S. said the target of Wednesday's raid was a militant commander "known to coordinate attacks against coalition forces along Highway One," Afghanistan's main highway that circles the country. The statement did not say if that commander had been killed in the operation.

Friendly fire between U.S. or NATO forces and Afghan troops or police happens several times a year. President Hamid Karzai has deplored the deaths of Afghan civilians during U.S. or NATO operations but has said that some friendly fire deaths are inevitable during war.

Officials from the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Interior and U.S. forces traveled from Kabul to Qalat on Wednesday to investigate the deaths.

**Pete** · 12-10-2008, 07:52

I don't like the headline - Should read Afghan police killed after firing on US SF by mistake - something like that.

And again - I don't think any GBs were flying the aircraft.

Sad case though.

ksgbobo · 12-10-2008, 08:54

Question. I have not been in the military, so I do not know what it is like being shot at or being in combat. But, I do not understand how our men are being shot at. Are the vehicles we drive in not obvious enough to who we are? I just do not see how the Afghan police or miiltary can mistaken a HMMWV or MRAP for a Taliban or Al-Qaeda transport, unless of course we are using other means such as Toyota trucks.
It may not be something I understand until I experience it myself.

**The Reaper** · 12-10-2008, 08:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete

I don't like the headline - Should read Afghan police killed after firing on US SF by mistake - something like that.

And again - I don't think any GBs were flying the aircraft.

Sad case though.

Exactly.

The headline is an attempt to spin the report. They killed exactly who they were trying to kill, which was the people trying to kill them. If they had failed to do so, the Times would have reported that the incompetent SF soldiers were cowards and failed to engage the criminals shooting at them.

And given the Taliban's use of police and military uniforms to deceive, I think that returning fire for fire received is an appropriate response.

Bet the survivors don't pull that BS again.

TR

Guy · 12-10-2008, 09:09

Quote:

Unfortunately

the Special Forces didn't inform the police that they were going to the village," Alikhail said.

U.S. officials quietly admit that they are hesitant to share detailed plans of raids against militant commanders for fear that government officials connected to the Taliban could tip off the militants of the impending operation.

Stay safe.

**Team Sergeant** · 12-10-2008, 09:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Reaper

Exactly.

The headline is an attempt to spin the report.
TR

I don't think it's an attempt, it is clearly misdirection, fraudulent reporting , misinformation etc by jason straziuso, and the associated press, journalistic cowards.

What's that website that reports on idiot "reporters" such as these? I cannot remember but this article needs to be brought to their attention.

TS

zuluzerosix · 12-10-2008, 10:39

Oooooohhh, I get it. You fellas are supposed to let let them know when and where you are operating beforehand.

Nutz. Although I claim no knowlege of the area involved, the people involved, the SF community and SF operations, training etc....

I suspect the Afgahn police knew exactly who they were shooting at. They paid for it too.

greenberetTFS · 12-10-2008, 11:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete

I don't like the headline - Should read Afghan police killed after firing on US SF by mistake - something like that.

And again - I don't think any GBs were flying the aircraft.

Sad case though.

Pete's right, that should have read Afghan police killed AFTER firing on US SF......

GB TFS

blue02hd · 12-10-2008, 15:00

Since when did the Taliban start flying helicopters in support of their attacks?

Perhaps the bird was mistaken for a news-copter?

RT AXE 10 · 12-10-2008, 16:04

Another surgical strike... Keep up the good work guys...

If the enemy can't see you, they can't shoot you...

echoes · 12-10-2008, 16:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Reaper

If they had failed to do so, the Times would have reported that the incompetent SF soldiers were cowards and failed to engage the criminals shooting at them.TR

Peeking in here slowly Sir, but, IF that headline is ever read by me and my kin...
the party writing such trash can be guaranteed a boot up the ass from us!

This journalist is a dumbass POS, IMVHO.

Holly

Am now backing away slowly...

Warrior-Mentor · 12-10-2008, 21:23

The headline should read:

"Army SF uses Darwin to improve the Afghan Gene Pool"

anythingrandom · 12-10-2008, 21:44

Gentlemen,

After reading the article and thread, I was wondering why the military seems to be so picky about letting reporters travel with units. My line of thinking is that any reporter traveling with a unit would be forced to reconsider any preconceived notions about war, their country, their military, etc and report the truth. Of course, this doesn't rule out the options that their higher ups would attempt spin tactics before the news went to press. I understand that there would exist, with a reporter present, potential threats to intelligence and the cohesion and functionality of the unit. Any other reasons?

I've watched the NG special and have read and viewed all materials pertaining to Fick and the Recon marines, and countless other media presentations on OEF and OIF. - In the first two examples, I felt that having reporters there really helped dose the media with reality, at least for those of us safe in the States.

Where is our new Ernie Pyle?

Basenshukai · 12-10-2008, 22:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by anythingrandom

Gentlemen,

After reading the article and thread, I was wondering why the military seems to be so picky about letting reporters travel with units. My line of thinking is that any reporter traveling with a unit would be forced to reconsider any preconceived notions about war, their country, their military, etc and report the truth. Of course, this doesn't rule out the options that their higher ups would attempt spin tactics before the news went to press. I understand that there would exist, with a reporter present, potential threats to intelligence and the cohesion and functionality of the unit. Any other reasons?

I've watched the NG special and have read and viewed all materials pertaining to Fick and the Recon marines, and countless other media presentations on OEF and OIF. - In the first two examples, I felt that having reporters there really helped dose the media with reality, at least for those of us safe in the States.

Where is our new Ernie Pyle?

If you are on my patrol and you don't have anything that will make nice little neat holes in the enemy, you are taking up valuable space.

blue02hd · 12-11-2008, 04:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basenshukai

If you are on my patrol and you don't have anything that will make nice little neat holes in the enemy, you are taking up valuable space.

Not to mention the additional responsibility of safeguarding an "asset" that is not trained to protect itself. Media elements rarely come solo. Think reporter, camera man, producer, and sometimes sound man. So multiply my original statement by 2 to 4, and apply that Basenshukai' valuable space as well.