Afghanistan: May 31, 2002

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Today, American troops raiding a compound encountered armed Afghans aiming at them and opened fire. Three of the Afghans were killed, but it turned out that they were friendly Afghans who had decided to investigate this village without letting American troops know. Since most Afghans don't wear uniforms, there was know way of knowing who was on which side.

American troops found 30 Chinese made SA-7 portable surface to air missiles. These are a 1970s era designed missile that can bring down smaller commercial aircraft. Against military or large commercial aircraft, the SA-7 will, at most, damage an engine. Finding these missiles (which are widely available on the international arms black market) led to fears that SA-7s were being smuggled into the United States for attacks on commercial aircraft. 

 

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