October 22, 2008
AUSTRALIA has made an honour payment to the family of Afghan tribal governor Rozi Khan who was shot dead in a confused firefight.
The speedy burial of Governor Khan meant no post-mortem examination was possible and it would probably never be known whether he died from shots fired by Australian troops, defence chief Angus Houston said.
But, he said, in accordance with Afghan culture, an honour payment had been made to the dead man's family to help maintain sound relations with Mr Khan's followers.
Air Chief Marshal Houston said it was a violent and confusing event which led to the death of a respected tribal leader in the town of Tarin Kowt on September 18.
"As an Australian patrol was passing through a rural settlement on their way to achieve a separate objective, they came under fire from multiple sources," Air Chief Marshal Houston told a Senate budget estimates committee hearing today.
The soldiers fired back in self defence.
"During this protracted night-time engagement, a group of five armed men that included Mr Khan approached the patrol from the direction of some of the firing.
"Believing these men were a threat, we appear to have engaged the group that included Mr Khan."
International Security Assistance Force and Australian inquiries had been unable to determine the exact details of the engagement including who killed Mr Khan.
The governor's immediate burial, required by local custom, prevented forensic examination.
"Following negotiations in accordance with Afghan culture, an honour payment has been made to Mr Khan's family to help maintain our good relationship with Rozi Khan's followers," Air Chief Marshal Houston said.
The amount paid was unspecified.
Australian inquiries determined civilians in the area were anxious and uncertain as there had been Taliban activity the day before and again that evening.
The Taliban had also threatened to kill one of the locals in the vicinity and that caused guards on compounds to be nervous and agitated, prompting the initial contact.
"On the night he was killed, Mr Khan was not aware that coalition forces were involved in the engagement and he was moving to assist members of his militia that he believed to be under attack by the Taliban," Air Chief Marshal Houston said.
The defence chief said he was confident Australian troops acted in accordance with the right to self defence under their rules of engagement.
AUSTRALIA has made an honour payment to the family of Afghan tribal governor Rozi Khan who was shot dead in a confused firefight.
The speedy burial of Governor Khan meant no post-mortem examination was possible and it would probably never be known whether he died from shots fired by Australian troops, defence chief Angus Houston said.
But, he said, in accordance with Afghan culture, an honour payment had been made to the dead man's family to help maintain sound relations with Mr Khan's followers.
Air Chief Marshal Houston said it was a violent and confusing event which led to the death of a respected tribal leader in the town of Tarin Kowt on September 18.
"As an Australian patrol was passing through a rural settlement on their way to achieve a separate objective, they came under fire from multiple sources," Air Chief Marshal Houston told a Senate budget estimates committee hearing today.
The soldiers fired back in self defence.
"During this protracted night-time engagement, a group of five armed men that included Mr Khan approached the patrol from the direction of some of the firing.
"Believing these men were a threat, we appear to have engaged the group that included Mr Khan."
International Security Assistance Force and Australian inquiries had been unable to determine the exact details of the engagement including who killed Mr Khan.
The governor's immediate burial, required by local custom, prevented forensic examination.
"Following negotiations in accordance with Afghan culture, an honour payment has been made to Mr Khan's family to help maintain our good relationship with Rozi Khan's followers," Air Chief Marshal Houston said.
The amount paid was unspecified.
Australian inquiries determined civilians in the area were anxious and uncertain as there had been Taliban activity the day before and again that evening.
The Taliban had also threatened to kill one of the locals in the vicinity and that caused guards on compounds to be nervous and agitated, prompting the initial contact.
"On the night he was killed, Mr Khan was not aware that coalition forces were involved in the engagement and he was moving to assist members of his militia that he believed to be under attack by the Taliban," Air Chief Marshal Houston said.
The defence chief said he was confident Australian troops acted in accordance with the right to self defence under their rules of engagement.
Source: The Australian
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