NATO Urges Afghan Parents To Forbid Toy Guns
January 05, 2007
ISAF soldiers in Afghanistan (file photo) (epa)
The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said in a statement that troops have seen an increased number of toy guns, some apparently given to children as gifts during the recent Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.
ISAF warned that some toy guns are very realistic and might be mistaken for a threat to military patrols.
There are more than 40,000 foreign troops operating in Afghanistan, including more than 30,000 under ISAF command.
They have faced increasing criticism from Afghan local and national officials as the number of noncombatant deaths has mounted.
Reliable figures on civilian casualties are difficult to come by, but NATO spokesman said on January 3 that the alliance would endeavor to reduce the number of such deaths.
(AP, AFP)