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Afghan troops 'killed by US friendly fire' Afghan troops 'killed by US friendly fire' in Logar
(about 1 hour later)
At least eight Afghan soldiers have been killed in a US air strike on an army checkpoint in Logar province south of Kabul, Afghan officials say.At least eight Afghan soldiers have been killed in a US air strike on an army checkpoint in Logar province south of Kabul, Afghan officials say.
They say two US helicopters attacked the checkpoint in broad daylight on Monday. Several troops were injured.They say two US helicopters attacked the checkpoint in broad daylight on Monday. Several troops were injured.
The army commander in the area told the BBC that the checkpoint was clearly flying an Afghan flag.The army commander in the area told the BBC that the checkpoint was clearly flying an Afghan flag.
Logar is an unsettled area where much of the countryside is in the hands of the Taliban.Logar is an unsettled area where much of the countryside is in the hands of the Taliban.
There is no confirmation that Monday's strike was carried out by international forces, although local witnesses said it was, the BBC's David Loyn in Kabul reports. The BBC's David Loyn in Kabul says that there is much confusion over the morning incident in the Baraki Barak district.
The Afghan army does have some attack helicopters. The US said it was investigating the incident. Our correspondent says that rescue efforts are being hampered by insurgents who are shooting at Afghan forces.
There are about 10,000 international troops in Afghanistan who are training and advising Afghan forces. A spokesman for international forces said they were aware of an incident involving US forces and were investigating.
Their fighting role is limited to special forces operations now that Nato's combat mission has ended. Analysis: BBC's David Loyn in Kabul
There are still more than 13,000 international troops in Afghanistan - about half of them American. And more have remained for longer than President Obama originally ordered, after he acceded to military requests to slow down the withdrawal.
Since the Nato combat mission was wound up at the end of 2014, their principal mission is to "train, advise and assist" Afghan forces.
Most of the advice is at ministerial level and the top ranks of the armed forces, improving logistics and co-ordination.
The only active international fighting units are assisting Afghan special forces, and that is the mission that the helicopters believed to have been involved in the attack on Logar would have been engaged in.
There are air strikes, mostly from unmanned drones, somewhere in the country, every day.
Statistics recently emerged showing that more than 100 bombs were dropped in June - more than twice as many as any other month since combat operations ended.
Civilian and military deaths in coalition air strikes have been a contentious issue in Afghanistan since the US-led invasion of the country in 2001. They have provoked anger from the government and from many Afghan people.Civilian and military deaths in coalition air strikes have been a contentious issue in Afghanistan since the US-led invasion of the country in 2001. They have provoked anger from the government and from many Afghan people.
The latest violence comes amid an increase in Taliban attacks on government and foreign targets during their summer offensive.The latest violence comes amid an increase in Taliban attacks on government and foreign targets during their summer offensive.
Last week Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar backed peace talks with the government.Last week Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar backed peace talks with the government.
The two sides agreed to meet again in the coming weeks, drawing international praise.The two sides agreed to meet again in the coming weeks, drawing international praise.