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| Air strike kills Afghan civilians | |
| (about 14 hours later) | |
| Four Afghan civilians have been killed in an airstrike by British forces, the Ministry of Defence said. | Four Afghan civilians have been killed in an airstrike by British forces, the Ministry of Defence said. |
| The attack happened when troops called for help during a Taleban ambush in Helmand province, south Afghanistan. | The attack happened when troops called for help during a Taleban ambush in Helmand province, south Afghanistan. |
| "We deeply regret that this incident happened and do everything we can to mitigate this from happening," the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said. | "We deeply regret that this incident happened and do everything we can to mitigate this from happening," the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said. |
| The four bodies - two women and two children - and one injured person were found when troops inspected the area. | The four bodies - two women and two children - and one injured person were found when troops inspected the area. |
| The MoD said in a statement: "We can confirm UK forces were involved in an operation in the south of Helmand Province. | The MoD said in a statement: "We can confirm UK forces were involved in an operation in the south of Helmand Province. |
| "This incident is currently under investigation and it would be inappropriate for us to comment." | "This incident is currently under investigation and it would be inappropriate for us to comment." |
| Air support | Air support |
| The British troops had been caught up in an intense fire fight after being ambushed, the MoD spokeswoman said. | |
| The civilians were unintentionally killed after air support was called in and directed on to the area where the Taleban appeared to have been operating, the MoD said. | |
| An injured person was evacuated to the British field hospital at Camp Bastion for medical treatment. | An injured person was evacuated to the British field hospital at Camp Bastion for medical treatment. |
| Nato spokesman Brigadier General Carlos Branco revealed details of the incident at a news conference in Afghanistan. | Nato spokesman Brigadier General Carlos Branco revealed details of the incident at a news conference in Afghanistan. |
| He spoke only of the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force's role, and later the MoD confirmed UK troops had been present. | He spoke only of the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force's role, and later the MoD confirmed UK troops had been present. |
| The MoD did not say if the aircraft was British. | |
| Brig Gen Branco said: "During the ensuing fight, two women and two children, part of a group of civilians who were in the vicinity of the action, were killed. | Brig Gen Branco said: "During the ensuing fight, two women and two children, part of a group of civilians who were in the vicinity of the action, were killed. |
| "We deeply regret the loss of innocent life and injuries and we are saddened that casualties were caused as a result of a deliberate attack against Isaf forces instigated by insurgents." | "We deeply regret the loss of innocent life and injuries and we are saddened that casualties were caused as a result of a deliberate attack against Isaf forces instigated by insurgents." |
| Prince Harry worked with the air support, the British Forward Air Controllers, until he returned from Afghanistan less than two weeks ago. | Prince Harry worked with the air support, the British Forward Air Controllers, until he returned from Afghanistan less than two weeks ago. |