U.S.-led airstrike kills 3 policemen in southern Afghanistan

Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-10 18:32:45|Editor: Song Lifang
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LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan, June 10 (Xinhua) -- At least three Afghan Border Police (ABP) personnel were killed and two others wounded after a U.S.-led air raid struck their position in southern Helmand province overnight, a local official said on Saturday.

"The incident occurred in surrounding areas of Nad Ali district, west of provincial capital Lashkar Gah city at mid-night. The unpleasant incident took place during a joint operation conducted by Afghan forces and international troops there," Omar Zwak provincial governor spokesman told Xinhua.

The U.S. forces in Afghanistan have confirmed the latest so-called friendly fire incident.

"We can confirm personnel from the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces were killed and wounded during overnight operations in Helmand province. We would like to express our deepest condolences to the families of the ABP members affected by this unfortunate incident," they said in a statement.

An investigation was being conducted to determine the specific circumstances that led to this incident, the statement noted.

In a separate development, eight Taliban militants were killed after an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) they were planting went off prematurely along a road in neighboring Nehri Sarraj district late Friday.

Helmand, notorious for poppy growing, is also a known Taliban stronghold.

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