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Summary Afghan authorities condemned a night raid by NATO-led coalition forces in which a woman was killed.
The Afghan authorities on Sunday condemned a night raid by NATO-led coalition forces in eastern Afghanistan in which a woman was killed.Following the raid, NATOs International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said the operation in the Gardez district of Paktia province targeted a leader of the Haqqani militant network who was responsible for roadside bomb and gun attacks.But the provincial governors office said it was an arbitrary operation launched on the house of the Paktia anti-drugs chief, who had been detained along with his two sons.A national security council meeting held in the presidential palace on Sunday condemned the international forces night raid on the house of the Paktia counternarcotics chief, in which a woman was killed and four others wounded, a statement released by Afghan President Hamid Karzais office said.The statement said General John Allen, the commander of international forces in Afghanistan, apologised to the meeting -- chaired by Karzai -- over the raid, which took place in the early hours of Saturday morning.But ISAF spokesman Brigadier General Carsten Jacobson said: There has been no apology by ISAF as an investigation is ongoing.Allens spokesman, Commander Brook DeWalt, said the counternarcotics chief had now been released.General Allen did send his condolences and regrets for the death of the woman that was killed in the incident, he said.He did note to President Karzai that there would be a full investigation and he would report back on the issue.General Allen ordered the release of two of the three and retained the suspected Haqqani network leader.Karzai has led public criticism of night raids over concerns they endanger and harass local communities, but ISAF has defended the operations as a tactical success.The statement from Karzais office said the president had repeated calls for international forces to halt such operations, which have been a sticking point in negotiations over the strategic partnership document being agreed with the US.
