US coalition to probe possible friendly-fire casualties

The US-led coalition today said it would investigate an attack on one of its bases in southern Afghanistan that killed a US and a Canadian soldier, including whether any of the casualties were caused by friendly fire.

Another US soldier and three Canadian troops as well as an Afghan soldier were wounded in the Taliban attack on the base in Helmand province last Saturday.

“The investigation will determine all the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident, including whether any of the casualties may have resulted from friendly fire,” a coalition statement said.

It said a joint US-Canadian-Afghan team would carry out the probe. US military spokesman Lt. Mike Cody said additional details may be provided later Tuesday.

US forces have suffered seven friendly fire casualties in Afghanistan since ousting the Taliban in 2001, according to US officials. A total of 222 US troops have died in combat in and around Afghanistan in the same time period.

The most well-known US friendly fire casualty in Afghanistan was Cpl. Pat Tillman, who was killed in a 2004 shooting near the Pakistan border. The Army initially said he had been killed by enemy fire, but later said he died by gunfire from his fellow Army Rangers.

The Defence Department last month announced it had launched an investigation into allegations of an Army cover-up into the death of Tillman, who turned down a lucrative NFL football contract to join the Army.