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Nato 'regret' over Afghan deaths Nato confirms Afghan raid deaths
(about 2 hours later)
Nato has acknowledged as "credible" reports that 60 civilians were killed in an air strike in southern Afghanistan earlier this week. Nato has confirmed that civilians were killed in an air strike it carried out in southern Afghanistan earlier this week.
A Nato spokesman told the BBC three raids were launched against Taleban insurgents in Kandahar province, killing an estimated 48 fighters. "We can confirm at least 12 deaths and we are working with the Afghan ministry of defence to conduct further investigations," a spokesman said.
He said it was possible that civilians had been inadvertently killed and if so, the alliance expressed its regret. Locals say at least 60 people were killed in the bombing raid in Kandahar province late on Tuesday.
The UN mission in Afghanistan says it is seriously concerned by the incident.The UN mission in Afghanistan says it is seriously concerned by the incident.
The Nato spokesman, Mark Laity, told the BBC that an investigation was under way. Nato said that 48 Taleban fighters were killed in three raids by its forces.
"We've got tight rules of engagement but sometimes things go wrong... President Karzai quite understandably and correctly wants us to show maximum care - that's what we do. The Nato spokesman, Captain Andre Salloum, told AFP news agency: "As soon as the battle ended, troops on the ground were able to identify 12 civilians."
"If there are things that went on we'll obviously apologise, we'll obviously also review our own procedures to make sure they are absolutely correct as they can be," Mr Laity said. Earlier, another Nato spokesman, Mark Laity, said: "We've got tight rules of engagement but sometimes things go wrong... President Karzai quite understandably and correctly wants us to show maximum care - that's what we do.
The Afghan government is conducting a separate investigation into what was targeted and who was killed in the operations in Kandahar. "If there are things that went on we'll obviously apologise, we'll obviously also review our own procedures to make sure they are absolutely correct as they can be."
Nato and the Afghan government is conducting a separate investigation into what was targeted and who was killed in the operations in Kandahar.
Afghan interior ministry spokesman Zmarai Bashiry told the BBC that local police and officials had confirmed more than 40 villagers killed in the Nato raids.Afghan interior ministry spokesman Zmarai Bashiry told the BBC that local police and officials had confirmed more than 40 villagers killed in the Nato raids.
Other local officials put the death toll at between 60 and 85.Other local officials put the death toll at between 60 and 85.
'See our situation''See our situation'
Villagers in Panjwayi district, southern Kandahar, say the bombing began on Tuesday and continued into the night.Villagers in Panjwayi district, southern Kandahar, say the bombing began on Tuesday and continued into the night.
Local people as well as district officials have described buildings destroyed by aerial bombings during the Eid al-Fitr festival marking the end of Ramadan.Local people as well as district officials have described buildings destroyed by aerial bombings during the Eid al-Fitr festival marking the end of Ramadan.
"The planes came and were bombing until 3am. And, in the morning, they started hitting our village with mortars and rockets. They didn't allow anybody to come to our help," one man said."The planes came and were bombing until 3am. And, in the morning, they started hitting our village with mortars and rockets. They didn't allow anybody to come to our help," one man said.
Nato says it routed the Taleban in battles in SeptemberVillagers told the BBC Pashto service that the bodies of many locals had been pulled from the rubble of their homes and buried.Nato says it routed the Taleban in battles in SeptemberVillagers told the BBC Pashto service that the bodies of many locals had been pulled from the rubble of their homes and buried.
"Twenty members of my family are killed and 10 are injured," one survivor said."Twenty members of my family are killed and 10 are injured," one survivor said.
"The injured are in Mirwais hospital in Kandahar city and anybody can go and see them. For God's sake, come and see our situation.""The injured are in Mirwais hospital in Kandahar city and anybody can go and see them. For God's sake, come and see our situation."
A statement from President Hamid Karzai said an eight-member team of tribal and community elders would investigate the reported civilian casualties.A statement from President Hamid Karzai said an eight-member team of tribal and community elders would investigate the reported civilian casualties.
The elders would also make suggestions on how to prevent such "unfortunate" incidents in future and ensure better co-ordination with foreign forces.The elders would also make suggestions on how to prevent such "unfortunate" incidents in future and ensure better co-ordination with foreign forces.
A Taleban statement sent to the BBC said none of the movement's fighters had been killed in the Panjwayi clashes, and that any deaths were civilian.A Taleban statement sent to the BBC said none of the movement's fighters had been killed in the Panjwayi clashes, and that any deaths were civilian.
Mr Karzai has been under mounting pressure over civilian deaths and has urged foreign forces to exercise more caution.Mr Karzai has been under mounting pressure over civilian deaths and has urged foreign forces to exercise more caution.
Last week, up to 21 civilians were killed in two Nato operations in Kandahar and neighbouring Helmand province.Last week, up to 21 civilians were killed in two Nato operations in Kandahar and neighbouring Helmand province.
Hundreds of people have been killed in Afghanistan this year, the bloodiest since the Taleban were removed from power by US-led forces in 2001.Hundreds of people have been killed in Afghanistan this year, the bloodiest since the Taleban were removed from power by US-led forces in 2001.