KABUL, May 18: Afghanistan’s defense ministry on Wednesday called on the US-led forces to coordinate operations in consultation with Afghan forces after an old man was shot dead during a raid by US troops. The US military said its troops had shot dead a man during a search operation on Monday in the southeastern province of Khost in which three suspected bomb makers were also arrested.

“An Afghan man was killed in the raid after he ignored both a verbal warning from an interpreter and a warning shot from coalition forces,” it said in a statement. Coalition spokeswoman Lt Cindy Moore said the operation was aimed at capturing bomb makers but added that the dead man had not been accused of anything.

Defense ministry spokesman Gen Mohammad Zahir Azimi said the incident highlighted the need for the occupation forces to coordinate with the Afghan side.

“As it is clear that the Afghan National Army and the coalition forces fight terrorism jointly and the operations take place on Afghan soil, that is why before any operation, necessary coordination and consultation should take place,” Gen Azimi said.—AFP