May 12, 2009
A government commission concluded that 140 civilians died, more than twice the figure cited by the United States.Reporting from Farah City, Afghanistan -- Turbaned elders and weather-beaten farmers trekked to this provincial capital today to accept reparation payments from a government commission that concluded 140 civilians were killed in a fierce battle last week between Taliban fighters and coalition troops.
If the figure arrived at by the commission is correct, it would make last week's fatalities in rural Farah province the worst single episode of civilian casualties since the U.S.-led invasion more than seven years ago.
"This was an accident, and we offer condolences," provincial Gov. Rosul Amin told the somber, ragged assemblage of villagers. Relatives received about $2,000 for family members killed and $1,000 for those injured.
Twenty-five militants were also killed in the fighting, according to the commission, which was appointed by President Hamid Karzai.
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