WRAP ISAF says British soldier was shot by accident
(9 Apr 2002) 1. Various of British troops of ISAF force patrolling streets of Kabul 2. Set up shot of Peckham 3. SOUNDBITE: (English) Lieutenant-Colonel Neal Peckham, ISAF spokesman: "At 10.50 hours today there was an incident involving a member of the First Battalion of the Royal Anglians of the UK Battle Group which resulted in the soldier receiving a gunshot wound to the head. This incident occurred during a foot patrol in open ground south west of Barjay in western Kabul. The casualty was taken to the French hospital facility at the military side of Kabul Airport and has since been evacuated by French C-160. While the matter is under full investigation by the Royal Military Police, we are satisfied that this regrettable incident did not involve any party outside of ISAF. ISAF is mandated to provide security assistance for the Afghan interim administration. This task does involve risk. This incident occurred whilst the casualty was meeting these responsibilities on patrol in western Kabul. All members of ISAF are saddened by this incident, but will not be swayed from continuing to meet fully their military duties. The next of kin have been informed. Thank you very much." 4. Wide shot of scene of shooting, zoom into soldiers 5. Wide shot of suburb 6. Soldier talking to civilians 7. Armed soldiers at scene STORYLINE: A British peacekeeper was shot and seriously injured on Tuesday when a gun accidentally went off during a patrol in a dangerous area of western Kabul, a spokesman for the International Security Force (ISAF) said. The soldier was hit in the head by a bullet and taken to a nearby French military hospital, and then flown out of the country, said Lieutenant Colonel Neal Peckham. Peckham would not say whether the soldier was hit by a bullet from his own gun or that of one of his colleagues. He said between eight and twelve troops were on patrol at the time in an area called District Six, the scene of several shooting incidents directed at ISAF peacekeepers in recent weeks. Peckham said the incident was being investigated by the British Royal Military police. Peckham would not release the soldier's name or rank, saying it was at the request of the victim's family. The incident marks the first casualty among Britain's two thousand strong ISAF contingent since the peacekeepers arrived in Kabul at the end of December, although British and other members of the 18-nation force have occasionally come under fire. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: / ap_archive Facebook: / aparchives Instagram: / apnews You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...
