KABUL, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Afghan government accused NATO-led troops of using airpower and killing civilians in northeast Takhar province on Thursday and denounced it. "President Hamid Karzai condemns air strikes that claimed the lives of civilians in Takhar province today," a statement released by Presidential Palace said.
The statement also stressed that bombarding Afghan villages would not serve the war on terror except harming non-combatants.
Ten election campaigners were killed as a meeting arranged by a parliamentary candidate Abdul Wahid Khurasani came under attack in northeastern Takhar province on Thursday morning, spokesman for provincial administration Faiz Mohammad Tawhidi said.
He also added that five persons including Khurasani sustained injuries in the incident.
Afghanistan's second parliamentary elections since the fall of Taliban regime in late 2001 is scheduled for September 18 this year amid tight security as Taliban militants vowed to derail it.
Related:
U.S. defense secretary on surprise visit to Kabul
KABUL, Afghanistan, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Gates arrived in Afghanistan's capital Kabul on Thursday for an unannounced visit.
He is expected to meet with President Hamid Karzai and top U.S. and NATO-led troops commander Gen. David Petraeus. Full story
Taliban attack claims NATO soldier life in E. Afghanistan
KABUL, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Another soldier of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) was killed in Taliban-linked activities on Thursday, bringing the number of the alliance' casualties to two since Wednesday, a press release of the alliance said.
"An International Security Assistance Force service member died following an insurgent attack in eastern Afghanistan today," the press release said. Full story
NATO chief: Afghanistan to start assuming security responsibilities next year
COPENHAGEN, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said here Tuesday the Afghan government would begin taking charge of its country's security in 2011.
Based on a tentative schedule, Kabul would fully take over security responsibilities by 2014, as envisioned by Afghan President Hamid Karzai, said the NATO chief at a joint press conference with Danish Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen. Full story
Special Report: Afghanistan Situation
