Five soldiers from the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force have been killed in southern Afghanistan, in what appears to have been a friendly fire incident.
An ISAF statement on June 10 said that all five soldiers had died the previous day during a security operation "when their unit came into contact with the enemy forces."
ISAF said, "Tragically, there is the possibility that fratricide may have been involved." It said the incident is under investigation.
Afghan officials were quoted as saying the soldiers were killed by friendly fire in the Arghandab district of Zabul Province.
Reports quote U.S. officials as saying the five soldiers were American.
Thirty-six NATO soldiers have been killed so far this year in Afghanistan.
All NATO-led combat troops are scheduled to be withdrawn from the country by the end of this year.
An ISAF statement on June 10 said that all five soldiers had died the previous day during a security operation "when their unit came into contact with the enemy forces."
ISAF said, "Tragically, there is the possibility that fratricide may have been involved." It said the incident is under investigation.
Afghan officials were quoted as saying the soldiers were killed by friendly fire in the Arghandab district of Zabul Province.
Reports quote U.S. officials as saying the five soldiers were American.
Thirty-six NATO soldiers have been killed so far this year in Afghanistan.
All NATO-led combat troops are scheduled to be withdrawn from the country by the end of this year.