New tactics by Afghan-US to combat Taliban

Bagram (Afghanistan), Oct 14: The US-Afghanistan Air Force has decided to shift its strategy to combat the Taliban in Afghanistan. Military commanders at Bagram Air Base, north of Kabul, say they're employing new procedures to 'amplify' what the Air Force was already doing to avoid civilian casualties, such as using a fly-by tactic with F-15 attack Eagles to scatter anti-coalition forces.

This follows strikes in Aug, which led to the death of about 90 innocent people.

Initially, despite video showing the bodies of women and children, the US Army claimed only five to seven civilians were killed in the attack on Afghan militants. Now a US military investigation has concluded that at least 33 civilians, including 12 children, were killed.

Fighting in Afghanistan has intensified in recent past months.

On Sunday, Oct 12 General David McKiernan, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, rejected media reports that the alliance was losing the war against the Taliban and called on troop-contributing countries to send more soldiers and military gear in order to achieve success more quickly.

ANI