9 civilians killed & wounded in Paktika airstrike

SHARANA (Pajhwok): Four civilians have been killed and five others wounded in a foreign forces’ airstrike in Giyan district of southeastern Paktika province, one of the injured said on Tuesday.

The wounded person, who is being treated at the provincial hospital in Sharana, told Pajhwok Afghan News that US air forces targeted civilian houses and shops late Monday night.

He said a child and three women were killed and five other civilians were wounded in the nighttime bombing.

Another resident of the area, who wished to go unnamed, told Pajhwok that two Taliban militants had been also killed in the airstrike.

Provincial police chief Brig. Gen. Ghulam Sakhi Rogh Liwani told Pajhwok the airstrike targeted Taliban militants but civilians also suffered causalities.

Meanwhile, US forces media office in Kabul also said they were investigating the claims of civilian casualties and after the investigation, they would share information with media.

On the other hand, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said five women and three children among 21 civilians killed in the airstrike.

pk