From the U.S. Forces-Afghanistan
KABUL, Afghanistan – Three civilians were wounded when they failed to stop their vehicle when approaching a coalition checkpoint, after multiple warnings to stop, today around 6 p.m., in Khowst province.
Coalition soldiers were assisting with the recovery of a military vehicle when the civilian vehicle approached them at a high rate of speed. Members of the security team attempted to stop the vehicle, using flashlights and other visual signals as well as warning shots, all of which were unsuccessful. Coalition forces acted in self-defense by engaging the vehicle with small arms fire.
After the vehicle stopped coalition soldiers provided life-saving medical treatment to civilians in the vehicle. They were stabilized and taken to a coalition medical facility for further treatment.
The injured civilians include the male driver of the vehicle who received a chest wound and a child with head injuries, both of whom were evacuated to a coalition forces medical facility. A woman was also treated for minor injuries.
"We offer our condolences to those injured in this event," said Col. Greg Julian, U.S. Forces-Afghanistan spokesperson. "Our primary effort is to provide security for the Afghan population and we take every precaution to avoid civilian casualties in the course of our operations."