US forces confirm killing policemen in Helmand airstrike

KABUL-based American forces have acknowledged the killing of Afghan police personnel in an airstrike in southern Helmand province.

The US air force targeted policemen in an airstrike in Lashkargah City, the provincial capital on Thursday night.

The Ministry of Interior (MoI) said that eight policemen were killed and 12 others wounded while provincial council and local officials said that 17 police personnel had been killed, including a commander during the airstrike.

US Forces’ spokesman in Afghanistan Col. Dave Butler told Pajhwok Afghan News that during heavy fighting with the Taliban in Lashkargah the Afghan security forces requested precision air support.

He said they supported the Afghan security partners who made sure all security personnel had left the area.

Butler said: “Unfortunately, they were present and a tragic accident resulted. Afghan security forces as well as Taliban militants were killed in the airstrike,”

They were examining the miscommunication to ensure it was not repeated, he added.

He expressed concern and regret about the incident and losses of security forces and said they would improve communications and coordination with the Afghan forces in the future.

Sa/mds

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