American soldier Aaron Toppen has been identified as one of the troops killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan when a strategic bomber accidentally dropped its payload on US forces.
The 19-year-old soldier from Illinois was killed with four other soldiers in southern Zabul province on Monday night.
The incident is the deadliest case of friendly fire since the Afghan war began nearly 13 years ago.
The bomber was a B-1 Lancer, a strategic Cold War-era bomber that can carry a payload of up to 125,000 pounds of explosives.
Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby confirmed the killings.
“Five American troops were killed yesterday during a security operation in southern Afghanistan. Investigators are looking into the likelihood that friendly fire was the cause. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of these fallen,” he said.
If confirmed, it would be one of the most serious cases involving coalition-on-coalition friendly fire during the war.
“The casualties occurred during a security operation when their unit came into contact with enemy forces. Tragically, there is the possibility that fratricide may have been involved. The incident is under investigation,” the coalition said.
The deaths bring to 36 the number of US-led soldiers killed so far this year in Afghanistan, with eight service members killed in June.
AGB/AGB
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