KABUL – Afghan Military and US Forces are openly killing The civilians inAfghanistan in The operations conducted against Taliban and othermilitants.

*The Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on the Afghan government and theUnited States military to investigate reports into the alleged killing ofcivilians during a military operation by the Special Force Unit inKandahar between January 31 and February 1.*

The watchdog said in a statement on Wednesday that security personnel foundto be responsible for abuses, including failing to report possible warcrimes, should be held accountable.

On the evening of January 31, the Special Forces Unit of the NationalDirectorate of Security (NDS) backed by US airstrikes began an offensiveagainst Taliban insurgents in the Band-e-Timor area in Maiwand district andthe Reg area of Panjwai district, according to official reports, thestatement said.

The HRW quoted local residents as saying Afghan security forces opened fireon men as they attempted to flee, killing about 50 Taliban fighters and atleast 20 civilians.

“When the airplanes came we fled. But as the people were running away theforces were shooting them,” an eyewitness said as quoted by the HRW.

Security force members allegedly dragged some men from their homes and thenshot them, the statement said.

The NDS reported that 38 men were detained following the operation.

“The alleged deaths of at least twenty civilians in Band-e-Timor demands aprompt and impartial investigation,” said Patricia Gossman, seniorAfghanistan researcher at Human Rights Watch.

“Summarily executing people in custody, whether they are fighters orcivilians, is a war crime. Only a full investigation can uncover all whomay be responsible,” she added.

“The Afghan government’s failure to investigate past possible crimes byKandahar’s security forces makes an investigation of this incident all themore important,” Gossman said.

“Unlawful killings won’t stop unless there is real accountability,” shesaid.