Logar: 4 Afghan soldiers killed in US airstrike

PUL-I-ALAM (Pajhwok): At least four Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers have been killed and six others wounded as a result of a US airstrike in central Logar province, an official claimed on Tuesday.

A security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Pajhwok Afghan News a clash erupted between the ANA personnel and Taliban in the Padkhab Shana area of Pul-i-Alam City on Monday night.

He said: “During the clash, the ANA personnel asked American forces for air support. The US forces mistakenly struck an ANA check-post instead of the Taliban position.”

He said four Afghan soldiers were killed and six others wounded in the overnight airstrike.

Hazratullah, a resident of the area, confirmed the ANA checkpoint was hit. He said the post was destroyed and the personnel manning it suffered casualties.

He added a mosque in the area also partially damaged. Provincial officials have not yet comment on the incident.

The US military said: “We are aware of reports about the airstrike conducted last night in support of Afghan forces may have resulted in Afghan National Army casualties. 

“US and Afghan forces are working closely together to develop a shared understanding of this event. A joint investigation is ongoing.”

sa/mud

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