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Air strike kills Afghan children Air strike kills Afghan children
(30 minutes later)
At least 10 Afghan civilians, including eight schoolchildren, have been killed by Western forces in the country, President Hamid Karzai has said.At least 10 Afghan civilians, including eight schoolchildren, have been killed by Western forces in the country, President Hamid Karzai has said.
Mr Karzai said the deaths occurred during an air strike in the eastern Kunar province two days ago. Mr Karzai said the deaths occurred during an air strike in eastern Kunar province two days ago.
Kunar governor Sayed Fazlullah Wahedi told the Reuters news agency officials could not visit the area "because of the presence of the Taliban".Kunar governor Sayed Fazlullah Wahedi told the Reuters news agency officials could not visit the area "because of the presence of the Taliban".
Nato has said it will investigate the reports, said Reuters. Nato said it had no immediate information on the reports.
A statement from Mr Karzai's office said initial reports indicated the civilians had died in "a series of operations by international forces" on Saturday. A brief statement from Mr Karzai's office said initial reports indicated the civilians had died in "a series of operations by international forces" on Saturday.
It said he "strongly condemns the operation which caused civilian deaths and has appointed a delegation to investigate the incident".It said he "strongly condemns the operation which caused civilian deaths and has appointed a delegation to investigate the incident".
The AFP news agency quoted a senior Afghan official as saying the death toll could change as investigations take place.The AFP news agency quoted a senior Afghan official as saying the death toll could change as investigations take place.
An unnamed Western official told AFP that US special forces had been conducting operations in the area, close to the border with Pakistan, and had killed and captured "a lot of Taliban".An unnamed Western official told AFP that US special forces had been conducting operations in the area, close to the border with Pakistan, and had killed and captured "a lot of Taliban".
Mr Karzai has previously said the killing of civilians by Western forces in Afghanistan is damaging the fight against militancy. He said the operations were being carried out independently of the Nato-led and coalition forces in Afghanistan.
Civilian deaths at the hands of foreign troops have led to widespread anger among Afghans.
Mr Karzai has previously said such deaths are damaging to the fight against militancy.
Also on Monday, militants were reported to have stormed a police checkpoint in north-western Badghis province.
Two police officers were killed and three are missing, said local officials.