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Afghan Official Says Eight Police Officers Killed In U.S. Air Strikes


FILE: A U.S. Air Force A-10. One of the aircraft used in the Afghanistan.
FILE: A U.S. Air Force A-10. One of the aircraft used in the Afghanistan.

An Afghan official says at least eight police officers were killed by U.S. air strikes in the southern province of Uruzgan in an apparent "friendly fire" incident.

Uruzgan highway police commander Rahimullah Khan said the officers were killed in two air strikes around the provincial capital of Tirin Kot on September 18.

The U.S. military command in Kabul confirmed that U.S. forces carried out an air strike in the area, saying they sought to assist Afghan national security forces who were fired on by the Taliban.

Brigadier General Charles Cleveland said he doesn't "have any further information" on who the casualties may have been.

Afghan officials said they are investigating the attack and are in contact with the U.S.-led coalition.

Taliban fighters briefly entered Tarin Kot in early September, according to provincial officials, before being pushed back by security forces.

Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, AFP, and Pajhwok

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