Afghan Red Crescent angry after NATO-led forces storm compound

By Nita Bhalla

NEW DELHI (Reuters AlertNet) - The Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) expressed anger on Tuesday at NATO-led troops who used explosives to storm a Red Crescent compound and temporarily detain two aid workers.

Saleem Wardak, manager of the media division of the ARCS, said NATO-led forces attacked their office in Qalat in the southern province of Zabul during a military operation against Taliban insurgents on Friday night.

"There was an attack by the security forces and two staff members were arrested, but were released after 24 hours," Wardak told AlertNet by telephone.

He said security forces used explosives to break into the compound with the blasts shattering windows and breaking doors.

"It is the first time that the ARCS has been attacked like this and we are very angry about it as we are only here to help the people and what the security forces have done is illegal," Wardak said.

The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said it had been looking for a Taliban contact responsible for funding militant activities and transporting improvised explosive device materials and weapons into the area.

"He was discovered hiding in a building later discovered to be a Red Cross office on the compound. Further questioning of the Taliban facilitator revealed he is a relative of a local Red Cross worker," said an ISAF statement issued on Saturday.

ISAF said one militant was killed during the operation.