Two children die in Afghanistan firefight

KABUL, Afghanistan, Nov. 1 (UPI) -- A U.S. military spokesman said Thursday two children were killed in a firefight between U.S.-led coalition forces and a suspected Taliban militant.

Maj. Chris Belcher, spokesman for the Combined Joint Task Forces-82, said Afghan forces backed by coalition troops raided a Nangarhar Province compound after "credible intelligence" was received about militant activity in the area, CNN reported.

Belcher said troops exchanged fire with the insurgent, who was keeping his family in the compound, and two children were found dead after the firefight. A wounded woman and another child also were found by coalition forces, the spokesman said.

"While resisting multiple requests to surrender, the militant barricaded himself in a room. Unbeknownst to Afghan forces, his family was barricaded in the room with him," he said. "It is regrettable when innocent lives are put at risk by militant forces. Our sincerest condolences go out to the families of the deceased and wounded."

Belcher said coalition troops and Afghan security forces also "engaged and killed several Taliban fighters" Thursday in southern Afghanistan.

"Troops were conducting a reconnaissance patrol to protect the establishment of an Afghan security checkpoint when they surprised Taliban fighters setting up mortar positions," he said.