KABUL - President Hamid Karzai on Sunday said his US counterpart Barack Obama had assured him of putting an end to civilian casualties during security operations in Afghanistan.
On August 27, seven women were killed and a child died of heart failure as a result of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) raid in Alingar district.

Another 15 women and children injured in the attack were evacuated to hospitals in Mehtarlam and Jalalabad, the capital of neighboring Nangarhar. The women were collecting firewood in nearby mountains.
Speaking to the victims' relatives at the Presidential Palace in Kabul, Karzai voiced deep shock over the incident and prayed to God to shower His blessings on the departed souls.

"In meetings with US officials, I have always underlined the fact that terrorists aren't hiding in Afghan villages and the war on terrorism should be fought outside the country's borders," a statement from his office quoted the president as saying.

During his last week's video conference with Obama, Karzai once again called for an immediate end to civilian casualties during military operations, the statement added. The US leader promised all-out efforts to address the emotive issue.

The president directed the authorities concerned to compensate the victims' kin, according to the press, which said presidential advisor Shujaul Mulk Jalala, who led an investigation into the bombardment, briefed Karzai on the incident. (Pajhwok)