21 civilians killed in US air raid in Helmand in Afghanistan

At least 21 civilians were killed in air strike by the US-led coalition forces on Sangin District of Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan on Wednesday, said local officials.

Kabul, May 10 : At least 21 civilians were killed in air strike by the US-led coalition forces on Sangin District of Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan on Wednesday, said local officials.

The Governor of Helmand, Asadullah Wafa was quoted as saying that several civilian homes were bombed in Sangin District, where NATO and Afghan forces are fighting the Taliban.

Coalition forces were reportedly ambushed by Taliban on Tuesday afternoon, and in retaliation, air strikes were made on three villages killing a number of people mostly women and children, said Wafa. he US-led coalition forces however, reported of one casualty on its side, but no reports of civilian deaths.

The US-led forces in Afghanistan confirmed the presence of US Special Forces in the area and released a statement saying that their air support aircraft had destroyed three enemy command and control compounds including an underground tunnel located along Sangin River Valley.

According to US Military Spokesperson Major William Mitchell, the troops had killed a "significant" number of militants.

But, Major Mitchell denied reports of any civilian casualties, the BBC said.

Public discontent is simmering in Afghanistan due to mounting civilian casualties.

The air strike on civilian houses comes despite the fact that the on Tuesday the US military tendered an apology for the killings of 19 Afghan civilians by US Marines in early March.

The apology came as the Afghan Senate passed a National Reconciliation Bill urging the Hamid Karzai Government to open direct talks with Taliban and stop NATO attacks on the latter.

The Taliban have often taken refuge in civilian areas, resulting in civilian casualties, and it is often difficult to determine if people killed in such air strikes are militants or civilians.

ANI