LOC16:02
13:02 GMT
KABUL, June 30 (KUNA) -- An Afghan governor Monday said at least seven
civilians have been killed in air strikes by the coalition troops against
Taliban in a western Afghan province.
The strike was carried out in Khashrod district of Afghanistan's western
Nimroz province on Sunday.
In an earlier statement, the US-led coalition troops said they had killed
28 Taliban while arrested a few more during the ground and air operation
against the militants.
However, Governor of the province Ghulam Dastagir Azad said seven civilians
had also been killed in the strike.
He told journalists that there was a Taliban meeting in a house in Khashrod
district when the troosp raided them.
He said the airstrike resulted in killing of nearly 30 Taliban, but seven
civilians also perished in the swoop. The US troops did not mention the
civilian casualties in their statement.
Meanwhile, the Taliban repudiated the claim by the Afghan government and
the coalition troops. Spokesman Yousaf Ahmadi said none of their men was
killed in Khashrod district operation.
A statement from the Defence Ministry in Kabul said that one local soldier
was killed and three others wounded as their vehicle hit a roadside bomb in
Paktia province in the southeastern zone. (end)
gk.bz.
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