NATO Drone Strike Destroys Afghan Militia Outpost, Killing 12

Officials in Afghanistan’s Ghazni Province have reported a “friendly fire” attack which they are blaming on a NATO drone. The drone attacked an outpost belonging to a government backed militia, mistaking for a Taliban base.

The militia’s base was close to the Jaghori District governor’s office, and while early reports are that nine were killed, locals say that all 12 of the members of the militia who were within the outpost were killed.

Early reports from Afghan national officials offered few details, saying only that it was a “friendly fire” incident. After that, provincial officials confirmed it was a NATO drone’s attack. NATO has declined comment.

Exactly which militia these slain fighters were loyal to is unclear. A police spokesman referred to them as “public uprising forces.” It is unlikely that they are directly US-linked, as apparently NATO was unaware the force was present in their own outpost.