KABUL, Afghanistan — Four UK soldiers were killed, another one died of his wounds, and a further six were injured while conducting operations in southern Afghanistan on Tuesday 3 November 2009. Two Afghan National Police officers were also wounded. An International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) unit responded to the incident and aided the wounded before transporting them to an ISAF hospital for treatment.
A joint ISAF and Afghan Ministry of Interior team is investigating the incident due to allegations the British soldiers may have been fired upon by Afghan security forces.
"I have spoken to the Minister of Interior, Minister Atmar, who shares my deepest regret for this incident and he gave me his assurance that this incident will be fully and transparently investigated," said General Stanley McChrystal, commander International Security Assistance Force.
"We will not let this event deter our resolve to building a partnership with the Afghan National Security Forces to provide for Afghanistan's future."
"There is a deep sense of loss as I know many others feel and our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of our fellow soldiers," said Gen McChrystal.
"We are deeply saddened for the loss of our ISAF partners and we extend our prayers to their families and those injured in this senseless attack. Every casualty suffered in our country comes with profound regret. This appears to be an isolated incident that is being jointly investigated by our officials and our ISAF partners," said Minister of Interior of Afghanistan Haneef Atmar.
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