MoD rejects claim of RAF attack on hospital
The Ministry of Defence in Britain today dismissed Taliban claims that British warplanes had been involved in what the hardline Afghan regime claimed was a missile attack on a hospital.
No British strike aircraft are involved in the current operation in Afghanistan, so none could have taken part in the alleged attack, said an MoD spokesman.
The claim was made earlier today by the Taliban ambassador to Pakistan, Abdul Salam Zaeef, who said that US and British planes struck the hospital in the city of Herat, killing more than 100 people including patients and staff.
‘‘It is now clear that American planes are intentionally targeting the Afghan people,’’ he said. ‘‘The goal is to punish the Afghan nation for having chosen an Islamic system.’’
But the MoD spokesman said: ‘‘The UK has aircraft that are assisting the Americans by refuelling and engaged in reconnaissance, but we don’t have any strike aircraft involved in this mission.’’
