Scores of Afghan children killed by British military

The government paid compensation to the families of at least 64 children killed by British military action in Afghanistan, an investigation has found, four times more than previously acknowledged.

Action on Armed Violence (AOAV), a London-based charity, said it received the information in response to freedom of information requests.

It said the UK paid compensation to the families of 64 children who were killed between 2006 and 2014. It said the youngest for whom an age was recorded was 1 and the oldest 15.

The group said the true tally of child deaths from British military activity could be as high as 135 because in some cases the people killed were listed as “son” or “daughter” with no age given.

Airstrikes and being caught in crossfire were the most common causes of death. AOAV said the findings suggest there is “absolutely no evidence” of British forces deliberately targeting civilians or children, with the deaths necessarily put down to “poor targeting, over-use of heavy weaponry or fighting in populated areas”.

AOAV found that the average age of children killed, in some 27 cases where this was given, was six. The youngest was a one-year-old baby boy, who died in March 2009. Just months later, an 18-month-old girl was also killed.

The analysis of compensation payments made from 2006-2014 found that between April 2007 and December 2012 there were 38 incidents involving 64 confirmed child fatalities where the British military paid out.

This number rises to 135 across 47 incidents if more vague mentions of “son”, “daughter” or “nephew” are factored in over the wider nine-year period.

The total paid out between 2006 and 2014 for incidents with confirmed child deaths was £144,593. This figure also includes compensation for adult fatalities.

The average payout per child victim comes to £1,656. This includes compensation covering injuries and property damage.

The Ministry of Defence had previously acknowledged paying compensation over the deaths of 16 children.

A spokesman said: “Any civilian death during conflict is a tragedy, more so when children and family members are involved. The UK armed forces work hard to minimise that risk, which regrettably can never be entirely eliminated.

 “This is done through a package of rigorous targeting processes built upon committed intelligence work, strong engagement protocols, thorough training for those operating in conflict and clear-eyed assessments after an engagement.

“We investigate reports of civilian casualties and are always open to re-examine where new information is submitted.”