In a serious controversy that rocked both Italy and France, a British news media allegedly reported that Ten french soldiers were killed in Afghanistan due to negligence on Italy’s part in sharing the information of “Taliban payoff deal” with France. This report though has been strongly rejected by both the countries.

Taliban received several “tens of thousands of dollars” to keep away from harming the Italian troops in Afghanistan, reported Times newspaper on Thursday. To keep its troops safe in the Sarobi area of Afghanistan, Italy paid a large sum but failed to inform its Nato allies.

The newspaper also accused Italy of misleading France in believing that the area of Sarobi was safe and hence this left France unprepared for the attack in which many soldiers were killed. With defense minister strongly opposing this claim, the Italy’s prime minister called this report “completely groundless”. “Government is planning to sue this newspaper for this baseless accusation” said the defense minster.

Even the french have denied any such reports.

We knew that Italian forces were paying the opposition (fighters) in Sarobi so they would not be attacked. We have information on similar agreements made in the western Herat province by Italian soldiers under NATO command there,” he said.

“A lot of NATO countries with troops operating in the rural areas of Afghanistan pay the insurgents so not to be attacked.”

claims were refused by Italy,France and NATO.

“These are rumors, and it is not the first time we have heard them,” said French Admiral Christophe Prazuck.

Prime Minister of Italy Silvio Berlusconi’s remarks the report

“The Berlusconi government has never authorized or allowed any form of payment of sums of money in favour of members of the insurgent Taliban in Afghanistan, and is not aware of similar initiatives by the previous government,”A statement was said.

NATO spokesman General Eric declare his unawareness of Taliban being paid.