Posted: 9/30/2009 4:05:00 AM EDT
|
 The RAF tries to reach local people with leaflet drops |
The Ministry of Defence is
investigating the death of a young Afghan girl who died after being hit
by a box of leaflets dropped by the RAF.
investigating the death of a young Afghan girl who died after being hit
by a box of leaflets dropped by the RAF.
The information leaflets were dropped in boxes from an RAF Hercules aircraft in Helmand province on 23 June.
The box failed to break apart in mid-air and landed on top of the girl who died later in hospital.
The MoD said it deeply regretted the "tragic incident", and a full investigation was under way.
A
spokesman said the public information leaflets were dropped by the C130
Hercules in a rural area. The boxes are supposed to open in mid-air,
scattering the leaflets over a wide area.
spokesman said the public information leaflets were dropped by the C130
Hercules in a rural area. The boxes are supposed to open in mid-air,
scattering the leaflets over a wide area.
The unopened box seriously injured the girl who was treated at a local hospital in Kandahar.
"Despite the best efforts of staff, she died as a result of her injuries," the spokesman said.
Leaflet
drops have been used extensively in Afghanistan by US and British
forces in the battle to win the "hearts and minds" of the local
population.
drops have been used extensively in Afghanistan by US and British
forces in the battle to win the "hearts and minds" of the local
population.
The MoD would not comment on what type of leaflet
was involved, but past leaflets have included information about the
election campaign, mine awareness campaigns, and warnings of impending
military action in an area
was involved, but past leaflets have included information about the
election campaign, mine awareness campaigns, and warnings of impending
military action in an area
In May, C130 aircraft based in
Afghanistan with 904 Expeditionary Air Wing dropped 200,000 leaflets in
support of the Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force.
Afghanistan with 904 Expeditionary Air Wing dropped 200,000 leaflets in
support of the Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force.