Afghanistan

US-led forces kill at least 15

Article published on the 2009-01-24 Latest update 2009-01-24 12:21 TU

Soldiers with the U.S. Army's 6-4 Cavalry in eastern Afghanistan on Saturday
(Photo: Reuters)

An operation in Afghanistan's Laghman province on Friday killed 15 people, according to US-led coalition forces. They said the operation, carried out in the provincial capital, Mehtarlam, targeted a Taliban commander that they believe was responsible for attacks in the capital Kabul and in the Laghman and Kapisa provinces.

Provincial authorities however say that 21 or 22 people were killed and that they were civilians and included women and children. "They were all civilians including two women and two children" Emadudin Abdulrahimzay, the head of the provincial council, said.

A separate death toll was given by the governor's spokesman, Sayed Ahmad Safi, who said nine people had died.

The coalition forces said that, as they approached the home of a suspected militant, groups of armed people exited their homes carrying AK-47s and rocket propelled grenades.

In Pakistan the death toll from missile strikes on Friday rose to 21 after six bodies were recovered on Saturday in the town of Mir Ali in North Waziristan. This followed on an initial death toll of eight in the town.

In Wana, in South Waziristan, seven people had died in a separate strike on Friday.

Pakistani officials described the attacks as a "US missile strike". This would make it the first such strike since President Obama took office.