Innocent biker 'shot by UK troops'

British troops In Afghanistan are alleged to have shot dead an innocent motorcyclist mistaken for a suicide bomber.

The man was shot and killed by international forces after approaching a convoy "at speed" in an area of Helmand Province mainly patrolled by the British Army.

A spokesman for the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) said he was fired on after failing to react to four warning shots.

The rider was killed and subsequent checks revealed he had no explosives, the spokesman added. Isaf said in a statement the incident was "very regrettable".

The force added: "The loss of innocent lives is a tragedy and Isaf and coalition forces seek at all times to avoid civilian casualties.

"Our soldiers are trained to take appropriate steps to minimise civilian casualties whilst at the same time taking action to protect themselves when threatened."

Neither Isaf nor the Ministry of Defence has disclosed the nationality of the forces involved.

An MoD spokesman said an investigation would be carried out if British soldiers were involved in such an incident.

There are currently 8,100 British forces in Afghanistan, with the operational thrust in Helmand Province.

Isaf said it ran "frequent public service announcements and advertising campaigns aimed at keeping the local population informed about the need to follow the directions given by Isaf foot patrols".

The shooting happened on the same day as at least nine Afghan soldiers were killed by US planes in a "friendly fire" incident.

They were hit in the airstrike in the Sayedkhail district of the south-eastern province of Khost where a coalition convoy was returning from an operation, the US military admitted.

"Initial reports from troops on the ground indicate that this may be a case of mistaken identity on both sides," a US military statement said.

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