According to local residents, around 15 civilians, including women and children, were killed during a NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) raid in the mountainous areas of Mahtarlam, the capital of Eastern Laghman province. Laghman, Afghanistan. 26/08/2009.
The Mehtarlam dwellers claim that 15 civilians were killed in operations in the Armal village which caused outrage among the villagers who then gathered in front of the Governors home to protest against the deaths.
Soldiers from the Afghan National Army (ANA) had to fire in the air to disperse the protesters.
The NATO operation, which started in the Spira Kondai area of Sorobi District of Kabul Province last week, extended to the Garoch, Mandaroro, Badpakh and Shagiliani areas of the Eastern Province.
The operation took place in response to intelligence gathered following a recent attack by Taliban-linked fighters on ISAF in the area, which claimed the lives of 10 French soldiers and left more than 20 wounded.
The exchange of fire between the two sides also left 27 Taliban dead and two Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers wounded.
However, there are reports from three medical facilities in Garoch, Badpakh, and Mehtarlam that 37 civilians are being treated for wounds sustained in the attack.
