Insurgents kill five village elders in northwest Afghanistan

Insurgents kill five village elders in northwest Afghanistan

2010-11-25 01:01:11 GMT+7 (ICT)

KABUL (BNO NEWS) -- Five Afghan village elders were killed on Wednesday when insurgents struck their vehicle with a rocket-propelled grenade, according to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

ISAF said the attack took place in the Bal Chiragh district of Faryab province, which is relatively peaceful when compared with southern Afghanistan. The elders were travelling between Kowlian and Bal Chiragh when insurgents struck their civilian vehicle.

The alliance said five elders were killed in the attack, while four others were wounded. One of the injured elders was taken by civilian ambulance to a nearby coalition medical facility for treatment.

"This is a terrible tragedy and demonstrates the insurgents' total disregard for the lives of village elders who bring guidance and leadership to the people of Afghanistan," said U.S. Air Force Col. James Dawkins, Director of the ISAF Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center. "Our thoughts and concerns are with the victims' families of this horrendous act."

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