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http://www.torontosun.ca/News/Canada/2006/05/24/1595136-sun.html
Afghan locals thwart attack on Canucks
Insurgents were preparing to fire rockets at troops
By CP
KANDAHAR -- A group of eagle-eyed Afghan locals helped protect Canadian soldiers by chasing away insurgents as they prepared a rocket attack last night.
Military officials say the Afghans spotted something suspicious in their neighbourhood, just outside the base where international troops are staying.
As they got closer, they saw insurgents running away from three 107-millimetre rockets which had been mounted and pointed toward the base.
So they ran after the insurgents. They failed to catch the would-be attackers, but returned to alert Afghan authorities of the plot.
A military spokesman said that, as far as he knows, this is the first attack on the base foiled by Afghan civilians.
"We're very encouraged," said Canadian Maj. Scott Lundy, a coalition spokesperson. "The coalition forces here are very pleased by the level of support and assistance that were provided by the people here ... "It's wonderful that they were able to foil a rocket attack against us, and we're very grateful."
Meanwhile, in Kabul, President Hamid Karzai ordered an inquiry yesterday into a U.S. bombing that killed at least 16 civilians and called for a meeting with the commander of American forces in Afghanistan. It was the second time in five weeks Karzai has protested civilian deaths from airstrikes by the U.S.-led coalition.
U.S. warplanes targeted the village overnight Sunday because Taliban fighters were hiding there, and dozens of the militants were killed. Local officials said 17 civilians died in the bombings.
Encouraging news for sure....I wonder if this sort of thing happens often or at all?
Afghan locals thwart attack on Canucks
Insurgents were preparing to fire rockets at troops
By CP
KANDAHAR -- A group of eagle-eyed Afghan locals helped protect Canadian soldiers by chasing away insurgents as they prepared a rocket attack last night.
Military officials say the Afghans spotted something suspicious in their neighbourhood, just outside the base where international troops are staying.
As they got closer, they saw insurgents running away from three 107-millimetre rockets which had been mounted and pointed toward the base.
So they ran after the insurgents. They failed to catch the would-be attackers, but returned to alert Afghan authorities of the plot.
A military spokesman said that, as far as he knows, this is the first attack on the base foiled by Afghan civilians.
"We're very encouraged," said Canadian Maj. Scott Lundy, a coalition spokesperson. "The coalition forces here are very pleased by the level of support and assistance that were provided by the people here ... "It's wonderful that they were able to foil a rocket attack against us, and we're very grateful."
Meanwhile, in Kabul, President Hamid Karzai ordered an inquiry yesterday into a U.S. bombing that killed at least 16 civilians and called for a meeting with the commander of American forces in Afghanistan. It was the second time in five weeks Karzai has protested civilian deaths from airstrikes by the U.S.-led coalition.
U.S. warplanes targeted the village overnight Sunday because Taliban fighters were hiding there, and dozens of the militants were killed. Local officials said 17 civilians died in the bombings.
Encouraging news for sure....I wonder if this sort of thing happens often or at all?