Comment & Analysis / Conflict

Afghan raids: A plot of maps, Mapp and mops

14:26 pm on 31 March 2017

Cartoon - A new book, Hit & Run, claims six civilians were killed in an SAS raid on two Afghan villages in 2010 and the Defence Force covered it up. It said they were in Naik and Khak Khuday Dad. The authors called for a full inquiry.

The Defence Force disputed the book's allegations. It released maps and said New Zealand soldiers were never in the villages named in the book, but conceded civilians might have died in an operation involving New Zealand soldiers a couple of kilometres away, in Tirgiran Village.

Lawyers for the villagers hit back, saying there is no such place as Tirgiran Village.

Wayne Mapp, who was defence minister at the time of the raid, said the government should try to confirm whether or not civilians died and raised the idea of compensation for villagers.

Prime Minister Bill English said he was not yet convinced an inquiry was needed.

Toby Morris' take: