Report: Afghan Reporter’s Death Was Accidental

If you've ever wondered what combat is like "downrange," check out these firsthand accounts of the front lines in Afghanistan.

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, Sept. 9, 2011 – The International Security Assistance Force has released the findings of a U.S. Army report of the investigation into the death of an Afghan reporter who was killed during an insurgent attack in Afghanistan’s Uruzgan province, military officials said.

The investigation determined that Ahmad Omid Khpalwak was killed in a case of mistaken identity during a July 28 firefight in the city of Tarin Kowt. Khpalwak reported for the BBC and Pajhwok Afghan News, Afghanistan’s largest independent news service, with headquarters in Kabul.

Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, ISAF’s commander, appointed an independent investigating officer to examine the circumstances that led to Khpalwak’s death. The report determined that Khpalwak was shot by an ISAF member who believed he was an insurgent that posed a threat and was about to detonate a suicide vest.

The investigating officer found that the ISAF member complied with the laws of armed conflict and rules of engagement and acted reasonably under the circumstances.

ISAF extends its condolences to Khpalwak’s family, officials said. The unclassified executive summary from the AR 15-6 investigation can be read at:

http://www.isaf.nato.int/article/isaf-releases/ISAF-releases-findings-of-Army-Regulation-15-6-report-on-death-of-khpalwak.html.

In other Afghanistan news yesterday:

-- A combined Afghan and coalition security force killed two insurgents while conducting a security operation in the Charkh district of Logar province. The target of the operation was a Taliban leader responsible for attacks against coalition forces in the area. One suspect was detained, and various weapons were confiscated.

-- A combined force killed two insurgents while searching for a Taliban leader in the Shirin Tagab district of Faryab province. The leader transports supplies and weapons used in attacks against Afghan security forces.

-- In the Nawah-ye Barakzai district of Helmand province, a combined force detained numerous insurgents while searching for a Taliban leader responsible for attacks against coalition forces.

-- A combined force detained a Haqqani network leader and several suspects during an operation in the Manduzai district of Khost province. The leader supplies weapons to the insurgency.

-- In the Ghazni district of Ghazni province, a combined force detained one suspect while searching for a Taliban leader responsible for roadside bomb attacks in the region.

-- A combined force discovered a weapons and IED-making cache during an operation in the Sarobi district of Kabul province. The cache contained recoilless rifle ammunition, 36 rockets, and 80 mortar rounds. A local civilian also turned over an IED found in the area.

-- Combined forces killed two insurgents, detained 11 suspects and confiscated a weapons cache containing one 82mm mortar round and 16 pounds of explosives as part of separate operations conducted across Regional Command East.