A U.S. helicopter flies over Helmand Province (file photo) (NATO)
August 3, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- There are unconfirmed reports of heavy civilian casualties after air strikes by U.S.-led forces in the southern Afghan province of Helmand, RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan reported.
A local police chief, Muhammad Hussein Andiwal, said at least 20 wounded people were admitted to a hospital in the provincial capital, Lashkar Gah.
However, eyewitnesses there told RFE/RL that dozens of people were killed when aircraft bombarded a shrine in Baghran district on August 2.
A coalition statement said the air strikes targeted a meeting of Taliban commanders "after ensuring there were no innocent Afghans" in the area.
(with material from agency reports)
RFE/RL Afghanistan Report
RFE/RL Afghanistan Report
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