TOLOnews.com, October 15, 2012

Helmand Airstrike Killed Three Children: Afghan Officials

A teenage girl and two boys were accidentally killed around 4:00PM Sunday in Nawa's Tangano Godar area

Local officials in southern Helmand province claim that a Nato airstrike against insurgents in the Nawa district killed three children on Sunday.

A teenage girl and two boys were accidentally killed around 4:00PM Sunday in Nawa's Tangano Godar area when a Nato airstrike hit insurgents who were planting mines, Nawa district police commander Ahmad Shah Khan told TOLOnews on Monday.

The Nato-led Isaf confirmed on Monday it conducted an airstrike in the Nawa district which killed three insurgents, but it has not verified the death of the three children.

"Isaf is aware of outside reports claiming civilians may have been harmed. Isaf is currently gathering facts and assessing the situation. We will release more information as appropriate," Isaf Joint Command spokesperson Maj. Adam Wojak said Monday afternoon.

Helmand governor Ahmad Zirak also told TOLOnews that three children were killed by a Nato airstrike in Nawa.

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