BRITISH soldiers in Afghanistan yesterday killed four civilians and wounded three others when they opened fire on a vehicle that failed to stop at a checkpoint.
The Ministry of Defence said the vehicle approached a checkpoint in the Sangin district of Helmand Province and was directed to stop.
When the driver refused, the soldiers first fired warning shots but then shot at the occupants, fearing an insurg
ent attack. The incident occurred in a district at the centre of the resurgent Taliban militant movement.
An MoD spokesman said there is always a risk that vehicles that fail to stop will contain explosives.
"It's regrettable that this has happened, but it's very hard to make these decisions," he added.
The three injured civilians were treated by medical personnel at the scene and were taken to Camp Inkerman for further checks.
They were then transferred by helicopter to Camp Bastion hospital for additional treatment.
Two people inside the vehicle who were not injured took the bodies of the four dead back to their village, a spokesman for the International Security Assistance Force said.
He added that the two civilians who escaped injury had indicated that they believed the driver was at fault for failing to stop. The incident will be investigated.
The issue of civilian casualties is increasingly causing tension between Afghanistan's government and international forces.
President Hamid Karzai has implored Nato and US-led coalition troops to avoid killing civilians because it undermines support for his already weak central government.
Meanwhile, it emerged that a British Army dog handler killed by insurgents in Afghanistan on Thursday was about to leave front-line duties.
Lance-Corporal Kenneth Rowe, of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, who was from the Newcastle area, was attached to 2nd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment.
The 24-year-old had been due to leave the day before he died but had lobbied his unit to stay because he was worried about the lack of search cover if he departed.
Rowe and his explosives sniffer dog Sasha were killed in a fire fight with the Taliban during a routine patrol.
His commanding officer, Major Stuart McDonald, yesterday led tributes to the dog handler.
"This unselfish action epitomised his professionalism and dedication to his job," McDonald said.
"I feel lucky to have known him and gutted to have said goodbye."
From their base in northern Helmand province, Rowe and his dog joined patrols searching for enemy weapons, ammunition and explosives.
Major Chris Ham, of the Military Working Dogs Support Unit, also praised his bravery and professionalism, and said: "He died supporting his colleagues in a situation that required his customary composure and professionalism in handling his dog whilst facing a substantial threat from the enemy.
"In doing so, he demonstrated all of the spirit, dedication and bravery of both his own unit and the company of which he had become an integral part."
Rowe had joined the Army in 2005 and was sent to Afghanistan this year.
Defence Secretary Des Browne said: "My thoughts are with the family and friends of Lance Corporal Kenneth Rowe at this difficult time.
"He was making a real difference in Afghanistan, and he will be sorely missed by all his colleagues and by all those who knew him."
Six other soldiers were injured in the incident on Thursday evening, one seriously. The other five are returning to work.
Lance-corporal Rowe's death takes to 112 the number of British service personnel who have lost their lives in Afghanistan since the start of operations in November 2001.
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