Afghanistan Airstrike Kills 4 Insurgents
Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases
Posted September 30, 2010 at 11:16 a.m., updated September 30, 2010 at 11:16 a.m.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 29, 2010 - An air weapons team engaged insurgents who'd fired on Afghan and coalition forces conducting a patrol in eastern Afghanistan today, military officials reported.
The combined patrol came under effective small-arms fire from about eight insurgents in the Andar district of Ghazni province. After gaining positive identification on the insurgent position, an air weapons team engaged the insurgent firing position. After the engagement ended, the combined force called for a medical evacuation for wounded insurgents and reported that approximately four insurgents had been killed.
The wounded were evacuated to an International Security Assistance Force medical facility for treatment. ISAF is aware of allegations in the media of civilian casualties associated with this operation. ISAF is receiving reports from this operation and will provide updates as they become available.Alright! Take that you dirty insurgents!
Oh, wait a minute.
While we're on this subject, what the heck is an insurgent, anyway?
4 Afghan civilians killed during attack on insurgents, NATO says
By the CNN Wire Staff
September 30, 2010 -- Updated 1702 GMT (0102 HKT)
(CNN) -- Four Afghan civilians died and three others were wounded in a NATO-led operation on Wednesday in eastern Afghanistan, NATO's International Security Assistance Force said Thursday.
The incident took place in the Andar district of Ghazni province. ISAF forces met with village elders to apologize for their actions and embarked on an investigation.
It is the latest incident of civilians caught in the crossfire of the Afghan war, a trend that has caused outrage and consternation among Afghan government officials and citizens.
ISAF said eight insurgents wielding small arms attacked an Afghan and coalition security force.
An air weapons team trying to protect the troops "accidentally struck a group of unarmed civilians, killing four and injuring three others."
ISAF spokesman Rear Adm. Greg Smith said families will be compensated in the wake of their losses.
"We deeply regret that our operation resulted in civilian loss of life and we express our sincerest condolences to the families," Smith said.Um, right. Is it just me, or does it seem like they always report initially that they killed X number of insurgents, and then a short time later, it's revealed that they actually blew up a school or something? I have a better idea. Instead of reporting how many insurgents you killed, why not report that the combat took place and save the details until the data is actually known?
While we're on this subject, what the heck is an insurgent, anyway?
1in·sur·gent
noun \-jənt\Definition of INSURGENT
1
: a person who revolts against civil authority or an established government; especially : a rebel not recognized as a belligerent
2
: one who acts contrary to the policies and decisions of one's own political party
So... an insurgent is someone revolting against the established government, who is not a member of an opposing army. In Afghanistan, the established government is a corrupt nightmare formed out of warlords and thieves that was put in place by NATO forces. These are people who are rebelling against the puppet government in Afghanistan. It seems that insurgent is a very good term for them.Isn't it interesting that when they say it on the news, it sounds like "terrorist" rather than "revolutionary".
Hey, that's kind of like the difference between "insurgent" and "civilian".
I guess it just depends on who you ask. And when you ask them.
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