GIRoA, ISAF assessing shooting incident

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

08.26.2010

Courtesy Story

ISAF Joint Command

KABUL, Afghanistan - A joint team of Afghan and International Security Assistance Force officials departed Kabul today to perform an initial assessment of the shooting incident in western Afghanistan Wednesday, Aug. 25.

The shooting left two ISAF service members, one Afghan National Police member and one civilian interpreter dead. A demonstration of local residents occurred after the shooting, near the camp where the incident occurred.

The initial assessment team is made up of Afghan government appointed Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Defense representatives, as well as an ISAF Joint Command general officer and staff members.

While there has been much speculation and rumor regarding the incident and demonstration, the assessment team will review evidence, gather facts and talk with people who can provide details of what happened.

Initial reporting indicates that during a mentoring session, shots were fired by an ANP member, killing the ISAF soldiers and civilian. One or more ISAF members returned fire, killing the ANP member. At this point, the cause of the shooting is unclear.

"These incidents are still very isolated. The coalition forces are training thousands of Afghan Army and Police Forces every day," said Brig. Gen. Josef Blotz, ISAF Spokesperson. "Training the Afghan National Security Forces remains as the foundation of a successful Afghan-led transition strategy."

ISAF Joint Command will provide more information following the team's assessment.

• Date Taken: 08.26.2010
• Date Posted: 08.26.2010 09:09
• Story ID: 55192
• Location: KABUL, AF