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An explosive new book calls for in inquiry into whether war crimes were committed by soldiers who 'wanted revenge' for its first fatality.

In 'Hit & Run: The New Zealand SAS in Afghanistan and the Meaning of Honour', co-author Nicky Hager details claims that six civilians were killed and 15 injured during a raid in Afghanistan by New Zealand soldiers in 2010.

A three-year-old girl was among the fatalities, it is claimed.

The book's allegations, which went on sale in the early hours of this morning,are in direct contrast to the 'official line' that nine insurgents were killed.

The New Zealand SAS are closed modelled on the British Special Air Service - with both sharing the motto "Who Dares Wins" - but there is no suggestion of any involvement by UK forces.

The book claims the operation was entirely New Zealand's responsibility from concept and planning through to execution - despite being transported to the scene and supported throughout the attack by US helicopters.

It also claims that some of the dead victims were found with bullet wounds rather than injuries caused by weapons from the Apaches.

It's further claimed that 15 people were injured in the allegedly 'botched' raid - and the whole affair was subject to a military and political 'cover-up'.

The New Zealand Herald reports this morning that former Prime Minister John Key, former defence ministers Jonathan Coleman and Wayne Mapp and the New Zealand Defence forces had previously given assurances that the raid had been a success.

Key issued a statement today that he was "proud of the work the SAS did" in Afghanistan and the New Zealand Defence Force said it stood by the investigation already carried out which "concluded that the allegations of civilian casualties were unfounded".

The book was written by respected investigative journalists Nicky Hager and Jon Stephenson - who claim it is based on information supplied from more than 30 people, including around 20 NZ and Afghan unnamed sources directly involved in the raid.

The authors say the claims amount to a “dark and guilty secret of New Zealand’s recent history”.

It claims that Mapp - who was on a visit to the region during the attack - had since described the raid privately to a friend as a "fiasco" and "our biggest and most disastrous operation".

Mapp is yet to comment on the claims made in the book.

The book quotes one military source as saying: "They knew they had committed an atrocity".

Another source said: "It was definitely a revenge raid".

The book claims that faulty intelligence gathered by the NZ SAS was to blame when 'overwhelming United States air support' devastated two villages in the Tirgiran Valley in Baghlan province on August 22 2010.

Around 70 New Zealand SAS and soldiers from the Afghan Crisis Response Unit travelled by two US Chinook helicopters and a Blackhawk helicopter into the mountains around the villages of Naik and Khak Khuday Dad.

The book explains how the SAS called in support from US-piloted Apache gunships which "immediately began a ferocious attack on Khak Khuday Dad village".

(Image: PA)

The group of soldiers are then said to have set buildings on fire in the next village - when it's also claimed the Apaches returned and opened fire again despite no sign of fire from any opposing force.

The New Zealand Herald reports that central to the book's claims are pinning responsibility for the civilian deaths on the New Zealand military and the SAS wanting to pay back 'three fighters' who killed Lieutenant Tim O'Donnell on August 4, 2010 in a roadside bomb blast.

None of them were found, it claims - with the only discovery being a small amount of ammo in one of 100 homes.

It further claims the NZ SAS returned 10 days later and used explosives to destroy homes.

The book calls for an inquiry into the raid - over claims it was followed by an alleged cover-up.

The Guardian reports that the authors say “there are reasonable grounds to suspect that New Zealanders and their United States allies were indeed involved in war crimes and other serious breaches of the laws of war”.

Former PM John Key previously responded to questions over the raid by saying: "We don't discuss the detail of SAS operations. but what we do say categorically is that no New Zealand soldier was involved in killing civilians."

Today he added in a statement: "I am proud of the work the SAS did, and the support they provided in Afghanistan."

(Image: PA)

The New Zealand Defence Force said this morning it stood by its statement made on April 20 2011.

A spokesman said: "As the 2011 statement says, following the operation, allegations of civilian casualties were made.

"These were investigated by a joint Afghan Ministry of Defence, Ministry of the Interior and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) assessment team, in accordance with ISAF procedures.



"The investigation concluded that the allegations of civilian casualties were unfounded.



"The NZDF does not undertake investigations or inquiries into the actions of forces from other nations. That was the role of the joint Afghan-ISAF investigation.



"The NZDF is confident that New Zealand personnel conducted themselves in accordance with the applicable rules of engagement."

Acting Minister of Defence Christopher Finlayson's spokeswoman said today: "The matter was investigated at the time and I am advised by the New Zealand Defence Force they stand by what they said at the time."