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Air strike kills Afghan soldiers Air strike kills Afghan soldiers
(30 minutes later)
Nine Afghan soldiers have been killed and four others hurt in an air strike by Nato-led forces in the eastern part of the country, Afghan officials say. Nine Afghan soldiers have been killed and four others hurt in an air strike by Nato-led forces in the eastern part of the country, officials say.
A senior official said the incident happened when helicopter gunships fired on an Afghan army post in Khost. Helicopter gunships reportedly fired on an Afghan army post in Khost province.
The US military confirmed an "incident" had taken place but gave no details. The US said troops may have killed and injured Afghan soldiers in a case of "mistaken identity".
Afghanistan has seen a surge in violence this year and a number of civilians have been killed by international force air strikes.Afghanistan has seen a surge in violence this year and a number of civilians have been killed by international force air strikes.
Afghan military casualties are rarer than civilian deaths, but several troops have died in 2008 in mistaken attacks by coalition forces. Accidental military casualties are rarer than civilian deaths, but several troops have died in recent years in mistaken attacks by both sides.
Local and international forces are battling a fierce Taleban insurgency in much of southern and eastern Afghanistan.
Government concernGovernment concern
Khost official Lutfullah Babakarkheil told Reuters news agency that foreign helicopter gunships had hit an Afghan army post in Dowa Manda district late on Tuesday.Khost official Lutfullah Babakarkheil told Reuters news agency that foreign helicopter gunships had hit an Afghan army post in Dowa Manda district late on Tuesday.
In a statement, the US military in Afghanistan confirmed coalition forces were involved in "multiple engagements" on their return from a previous operation in the region.
"As a result of the engagements, ANA [Afghan army] soldiers were killed and injured.
"Initial reports from troops on the ground indicate that this may be a case of mistaken identity on both sides."
Col Greg Julian, the chief spokesman for US troops in Afghanistan, said an investigation was under way.Col Greg Julian, the chief spokesman for US troops in Afghanistan, said an investigation was under way.
"There was an incident and we are getting together with [Afghan] ministry of defence officials to sort out exactly what happened. A joint investigation will be conducted to get to the truth," he said."There was an incident and we are getting together with [Afghan] ministry of defence officials to sort out exactly what happened. A joint investigation will be conducted to get to the truth," he said.
The Associated Press reports that US and Afghan troops have recently been conducting operations in the region, and the position of the checkpoint was said to be known to US forces.The Associated Press reports that US and Afghan troops have recently been conducting operations in the region, and the position of the checkpoint was said to be known to US forces.
Earlier this year the US, Afghan government and the UN began a joint investigation to establish the truth about reports that 91 civilians were killed in an air strike on a village in western Afghanistan.Earlier this year the US, Afghan government and the UN began a joint investigation to establish the truth about reports that 91 civilians were killed in an air strike on a village in western Afghanistan.
The US concluded that more than 30 people, including women and children, were killed in the strike, which led Afghan President Hamid Karzai to express his concern over the rising numbers of civilian deaths.The US concluded that more than 30 people, including women and children, were killed in the strike, which led Afghan President Hamid Karzai to express his concern over the rising numbers of civilian deaths.
Mr Karzai has repeatedly urged foreign forces to exercise more care.Mr Karzai has repeatedly urged foreign forces to exercise more care.