March 14, 2010

KABUL (BNO NEWS) — Coalition troops killed twelve civilians during two recent operations in Afghanistan, according to the office of President Hamid Karzai on Sunday.

Karzai’s deputy spokesperson Hamed Elmi said the casualties, which included women and children, occurred during two separate airstrikes in the country’s Kandahar and Kunar provinces. He said the incidents happened earlier this week, but was not able to say on which day or days.

Elmi said President Karzai was informed of the casualties during a security meeting on Sunday, in which he "strongly condemned" the incident. Karzai called for compensation for the families of the victims.

NATO was still gathering information and was not immediately able to comment or confirm the report.