Afghan father wants revenge for children's deaths
Last Updated: Thursday, July 31, 2008 | 2:53 PM ET
CBC News
The father of two children shot to death by Canadian troops in Afghanistan said Thursday he would "kill the Canadians" if he gets the chance.
Rozi Mohammed — who lives in the town of Chalaghor, southwest of Kandahar City — was interviewed by reporters about Sunday's incident.
His daughter Mulkia, 5, and son Thor Jan, 2, died when Canadian troops opened fire on a car they feared was about to attack their convoy.
The military said the taxi did not slow down and ignored repeated signals to keep a safe distance away.
Mohammed gave a different account of events.
"I got in taxi with my wife, daughter and son. The convoy was coming. The taxi pulled out after the second vehicle passed and the third vehicle fired on us," he said, speaking through an interpreter.
Reporters said Mohammed had not slept in days and was in a trance-like state when he was interviewed.
"I got injured. I was unconscious," he said. "After some time I woke up and the Canadians were giving me treatment. I got up and started to collect the body parts of my children."
"If I ever get the chance, I will kill the Canadians," Mohammed said.
He said his message to the Canadian government is that "they should avoid shooting innocent people."
Mohammed described himself as a poor man who only had enough money to pay for the taxi ride to Kandahar and said Canadians should help him out.
