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Yanks Cut Out Bullets in Afghan Shooting Coverup

US finally admits Special Forces role in killings

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 5, 2010 1:45 AM CDT | Updated Apr 5, 2010 7:53 AM CDT

(Newser) – US officials are admitting troop involvement in the killing of three innocent women in a botched Afghan raid as a new report has surfaced revealing that American Special Forces soldiers cut bullets out of their bodies in an effort to hide evidence. The disclosures of the US role in the killings of people attending a baby naming party during the February raid come at a particularly sensitive time in US-Afghan relations. Officials initially insisted troops discovered the women had been fatally stabbed by unknown assailants hours before the raid.

An Afghan investigation has determined that US forces cut bullets from the women's bodies and cleaned the wounds with alcohol to hide the cause of their death, reports the Times of London. A NATO official concurred that “there was evidence of tampering” and that investigators “couldn’t find bullets" from the wounds. Referring to the deaths, NATO command spokesman said: “We deeply regret the outcome of this operation, accept responsibility for our actions, and know that this loss will be felt forever by the families."

An Afghan woman arranges cow dung cakes to be used for fuel as she works in a field in Kabul, Afghanistan, yesterday.
An Afghan woman arranges cow dung cakes to be used for fuel as she works in a field in Kabul, Afghanistan, yesterday.   (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)
Afghan police and US Marines patrol the city of Marjah in Helmand province, south of Kabul.
Afghan police and US Marines patrol the city of Marjah in Helmand province, south of Kabul.   (AP Photo/Abdul Khaleq)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 21 comments
bewilderbeast1
Apr 7, 2010 12:31 AM CDT
America the brave. How badly, sadly, tragically low can you sink? Not only do you have a thousand times the strength of the nations you wage war against, but you have to shoot their women and children!! Look at yourself, America!
hankhill
Apr 6, 2010 9:57 PM CDT
OK COVERUP IS ALLWAYS WRONG BUT I STILL SAY WAR IS HELL AND STUFF HAPS. IF YOU DO NOT FIGHT YOU DIE. IT COULD BE THAT THESE SF GUYS WERE ON A JOB INTERVIEW FOR BLACKWATER
hankhill
Apr 6, 2010 2:01 AM CDT
THE IMMEDIATE OBJECT OF FIGHTING IS TO KILL AND GO ON KILLING UNTIL THERE IS NOTHING LEFT TO KILL FRENCH OFFICER 1914 IF WE ARE NOT READY TO DO THIS WE SHOULD GET OUT OF THERE BEFORE WE DIE. OUR PRESENT RULES OF ENGAGEMENT SUCK BIG TIME FIGHT OR DIE

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