Canberra, Australia (AHN) – Three former Australian special operations soldiers have been charged in the deaths of five Afghan children during a nighttime raid in February 2009 inside a residential compound where a Taliban leader was believed to be hiding.

Australia’s director for military prosecutions, Brigadier Lyn McDade said that multiple charges of manslaughter, dangerous conduct, failing to comply with a lawful general order and prejudicial conduct will be filed against all three.

Thirty Australian soldiers were involved in the raid that culminated with the deaths of the children. Five soldiers were originally charged, but that number has been reduced to three “ex-commandos.” The names of the accused have not been released.

McDade did not clarify when and why the accused were “former soldiers” or “ex-commandos,” especially why they were participating in a military raid.

The raid was termed a “clearance operation” that involved an exchange of gunfire with the suspected Taliban insurgent. During the battle grenades were released that resulted in the death of the five Afghan children, including two babies, and the injury of women.

In a statement, lawyers for the defendants declared that although the men deeply regretted that women and children were killed and injured, this was mainly due to the “callous and reckless act” of the suspected Taliban insurgents holed up inside the compound.

The trial is scheduled begin in early 2011 and is expected to be closely monitored in Afghanistan where, according to a United Nations report, there have 1,271 civilian deaths this year through June.

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