Young Afghan boy seriously injured after told by Taliban to step on explosive

[News_Editor]

Young Afghan boy seriously injured after told by Taliban to step on explosive

2011-07-28 15:56:53 GMT+7 (ICT)

KABUL (BNO NEWS) -- An 8-year-old Afghan boy was seriously injured recently when he was told by a suspected Taliban insurgent to step on an improvised explosive device (IED), the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said on Thursday.

The incident happened on Monday in the Zhari District of Kandahar Province, according to a document released by the U.S. Army. It identified the victim as an 8-year-old boy who was in a field with his brother.

"Jalil was in a field picking grapes with his brother Mohammad Mukhtar when a Taliban insurgent asked him to step on an object," the document of the U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division said. "The child unknowingly stepped on an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and caused it to detonate."

The young boy was subsequently taken to Combat Outpost Kolk where Jalil had an amputation of the right leg below the knee and a femur fracture. "A tourniquet was placed on his right calf and his lower right leg was dressed with an occlusive pressure bandage," the document said. "The child was medically evacuated by air to Kandahar Airfield (KAF) with his father as the escort."

According to the U.S. military, ISAF and Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers spoke with four male relatives who came with the child and his father to the combat outpost. "They explained the circumstances surrounding the incident and stated that they believe the Taliban were testing a prototype IED," the document continued. "All four individuals were outraged by the heinous acts committed by the Taliban and would like to speak out against the Taliban, their brutal tactics, and their disregard for the welfare of other Afghans."

Lt. Col. Web Wright, a spokesman for ISAF's Regional Command South, said Jalil is now in a stable condition. "His family is with him," he added.

The Taliban did not respond to requests for comment about their alleged involvement, but the militant group has previously denied they use or target children as part of their attacks. However, children often fall victim in Taliban attacks.

Last week, suspected members of the Taliban kidnapped an 8-year-old boy, whose name was not released, in the Greshk district of Helmand province. He was later hung after his father, a local police commander, did not surrender as the Taliban had demanded.

And on May 1, four civilians were killed and 12 others were injured when a 12-year-old suicide bomber blew himself up at a crowded market in eastern Afghanistan.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-07-28

[Daffy D]

Jeeezzzz it just gets worse.

[ScubaBuddha]

And these are the guys we are starting to open talks with...geeesh.

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2011/06/18/as_afghanistan_48

[koheesti]

The things these "freedom fighters" won't do to drive out the "invaders".

[rcranium]

The things these "freedom fighters" won't do to drive out the "invaders".

Freedom fighters for their OWN country invaded by countries whose economies survive on warfare or welfare. You will never beat people that have nothing to lose. Time means absolutely nothing. They will out wait any alleged do gooder . It is like Iraq and soon Iran, leave them be and let the strongest nut rule. This is similar to trying to unionize China. don't bugger it up worse and then leave when it suits you. If you need to mourn lives , mourn the ones dispatched to help where they are not wanted.

[koheesti]

The things these "freedom fighters" won't do to drive out the "invaders".

Freedom fighters for their OWN country invaded by countries whose economies survive on warfare or welfare. You will never beat people that have nothing to lose. Time means absolutely nothing. They will out wait any alleged do gooder . It is like Iraq and soon Iran, leave them be and let the strongest nut rule. This is similar to trying to unionize China. don't bugger it up worse and then leave when it suits you. If you need to mourn lives , mourn the ones dispatched to help where they are not wanted.

And while they wait for the "invaders" to leave (the ones from the West I presume and not the ones from Pakistan) they'll just have some fun with local boys, eh?

[Scott]

One off-topic post has been removed. There are plenty of topics in World News, please stick to the topic.

[Huey]

The things these "freedom fighters" won't do to drive out the "invaders".

Freedom fighters for their OWN country invaded by countries whose economies survive on warfare or welfare. You will never beat people that have nothing to lose. Time means absolutely nothing. They will out wait any alleged do gooder . It is like Iraq and soon Iran, leave them be and let the strongest nut rule. This is similar to trying to unionize China. don't bugger it up worse and then leave when it suits you. If you need to mourn lives , mourn the ones dispatched to help where they are not wanted.

Spoken like someone who spent allot of time there.

Freedom isn't free, and if they want it they will have to work it out for themselves. Until then, secure, develop & exploit resource rich areas, support who ever is in power for a cut of the wealth derived from these resources and otherwise stay out of the politics. So we can get this money and get off welfare.

[rubin]

allahu akbar indeed