The raid exposed a US military coverup of civilian killings in Afghanistan, prompting international scrutiny of special operations conduct.
Key Facts
- Date of raid
- February 12, 2010
- Total civilians killed
- 5 people
- Pregnant women killed
- 2 women
- Unit responsible
- U.S. Army Rangers
- Location
- Khataba village, outside Gardez
- Alleged coverup
- Bullets removed and wounds cleaned post-raid
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
U.S. Army Rangers conducted a night raid on a house in Khataba village near Gardez as part of special operations in the War in Afghanistan. The house was hosting a gathering of dozens of people celebrating the naming of a newborn baby, unrelated to any insurgent activity.
On February 12, 2010, U.S. forces raided the home, killing five civilians including two pregnant women and a teenage girl. Afghan government investigators subsequently alleged that special operations forces removed bullets from the victims' bodies and cleaned wounds in an attempted coverup, allegations NATO initially denied.
The U.S. military ultimately admitted its forces killed the three women during the raid. The incident drew significant international attention to civilian casualties and rules of engagement in special operations, and raised questions about accountability and transparency within the NATO mission in Afghanistan.