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U.S. soldiers investigated for shooting Afghan villagers Vermont Guardian | March 4, 2005 SHINDAND — Several U.S. soldiers are under investigation for killing two Afghan villagers outside a U.S. base in western Afghanistan, the commander of the base, Lt. Col. Ashton Hayes, announced last week. Witnesses and local officials said the two villagers were shot Feb. 11 while they fled across a field, according to witnesses and local officials. In an interview with the Pakistan Tribune, two witnesses said that after the initial gunfire, soldiers approached one of the wounded Afghans and shot him dead at close range. “They did it on purpose, I think,” said Muhammad Ismail, the brother of one of those killed. Witnesses believe the shooters were Special Forces soldiers, but that couldn’t be confirmed. The incident prompted a demonstration and shouts of “Death to America.” The deaths could stir up animosity in the area, a strategic region bordering Iran. The men were cutting firewood beside the road when a carload of Afghan National Army soldiers drove past, followed by Special Forces soldiers in a black sport utility vehicle. Seeing the SUV, the two men fled across the field toward the village, said two witnesses. Initial reports in the local media said U.S. forces had killed two members of al Qaeda, and that three more had escaped. But Hayes later admitted he had seen no evidence of Taliban or al Qaeda activity in the area. The military subsequently gave the families of the victims $2,000 each.
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