This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/8035204.stm

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
US Afghan strikes 'killed dozens' US Afghan strikes 'killed dozens'
(about 1 hour later)
The Red Cross says air strikes by US forces in Afghanistan on Tuesday are now thought to have killed dozens of civilians including women and children.The Red Cross says air strikes by US forces in Afghanistan on Tuesday are now thought to have killed dozens of civilians including women and children.
The organisation says the civilians were sheltering from fighting in the province of Farah when their houses were struck. It says civilians were sheltering from fighting in the province of Farah when their houses were struck.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai says he has ordered an investigation. Afghan President Hamid Karzai, in the US for talks with President Barack Obama, says he has ordered a probe.
Civilian casualties will be high on the agenda when Mr Karzai meets President Barack Obama in Washington later. Civilian deaths will be high on the agenda at the White House, where talks will also include Pakistan's president.
The Afghan president has repeatedly urged Western forces in Afghanistan to reduce the numbers of civilian casualties. Mr Obama will hold bilateral talks with Mr Karzai and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, before all three hold a joint meeting.
But the BBC's Martin Patience, in Kabul, says the talks could be overshadowed if the Red Cross report of dozens of civilian deaths is confirmed. The Afghan president has repeatedly urged Western forces in Afghanistan to reduce the number of civilian casualties.
Mr Karzai will meet Mr Obama for talks with Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari, who is facing a growing crisis in his country amid a new outbreak of fighting between the army and Taleban rebels in the Swat Valley region. And the BBC's Martin Patience, in Kabul, says the Washington talks could be overshadowed if the Red Cross report of dozens of civilian deaths is confirmed.
Mr Zardari arrives in Washington facing a growing crisis in his own country amid a new outbreak of fighting between the army and Taleban rebels in the Swat Valley region.
Residents there are reported to be fleeing their homes as a peace deal between the government and Taleban militants appears close to collapse.Residents there are reported to be fleeing their homes as a peace deal between the government and Taleban militants appears close to collapse.
On Tuesday the US envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, told a congressional hearing in Washington that Pakistan must do more to combat the Taleban.On Tuesday the US envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, told a congressional hearing in Washington that Pakistan must do more to combat the Taleban.
'Sheltering''Sheltering'
Our correspondent in Kabul said local officials had told him they saw the bodies of about 20 women and children in two trucks.Our correspondent in Kabul said local officials had told him they saw the bodies of about 20 women and children in two trucks.
Afghan President Karzai faces anger from his people over civilian deaths FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/default.stm">More from Today programme
A spokeswoman for the International Committee of the Red Cross said a team of observers sent to the site of the air strikes saw houses destroyed and dozens of dead bodies, including women and children.A spokeswoman for the International Committee of the Red Cross said a team of observers sent to the site of the air strikes saw houses destroyed and dozens of dead bodies, including women and children.
"We can absolutely confirm there were civilian casualties," Jessica Barry said."We can absolutely confirm there were civilian casualties," Jessica Barry said.
"It seemed they were trying to shelter in houses when they were hit.""It seemed they were trying to shelter in houses when they were hit."
The governor of Farah province, Rohul Amin, backed the Red Cross' verdict that civilians died in the air strikes, but could not confirm numbers. The governor of Farah province, Rohul Amin, backed the Red Cross verdict that civilians died in the air strikes, but could not confirm numbers.
Regional politicians told news agencies that as many as 150 people had been killed, but there was no independent confirmation of that figure.Regional politicians told news agencies that as many as 150 people had been killed, but there was no independent confirmation of that figure.
The US military said coalition troops were called to assist Afghan forces as they attempted to fight off an insurgent attack.
A spokeswoman, Capt Elizabeth Mathias, said she was "extremely concerned" by the reports of high casualties.
"I actually sent an investigation team out to that region this morning and I expect them to be on the ground a little bit later this afternoon, and hopefully have some more information for us at that time," she said.