Nato apologises after two Afghan boys killed

The Nato-led Isaf force has apologised for the deaths of two Afghan boys, killed when a helicopter fired on them, mistaking them for insurgents.

The boys, aged under seven, were killed on Thursday in Uruzgan province.

a statement issued on Saturday said "The two boys were killed when our forces fired at what they thought were insurgent forces,"I offer my personal apology and condolences to the family of the boys who were killed."

The statement added that the boys, who were tending cattle  were killed when coalition forces fired at what they thought were insurgent forces".

The statement said the International Security Assistance Force, (Isaf) and Afghan investigators had already visited the village in the central province where the boys lived and met local leaders.

Analysts say civilian deaths enrage the Afghan people and President Hamid Karzai, who recently stopped his troops calling in foreign air strikes in built-up areas.

That move came after a 13 February incident where a Nato air strike requested by Afghan forces killed 10 people, including five women and four children.

Reports say about 1,500 Australian soldiers are based in Uruzgan province. Their main focus is to provide training and mentoring to Afghan soldiers.

The Nato-led troops are scheduled to withdraw from Afghanistan by the end of 2014 and have gradually been handing over responsibility for security to Afghan counterparts.

BBC NEWS