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Nato forces kill five US troops in Afghanistan | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Five American soldiers have been killed accidentally by their own side in southern Afghanistan, US military sources have confirmed. | |
An Afghan soldier and an interpreter also died in the Nato air strike after Monday's operation in Zabul province | |
Afghan officials say coalition forces called in air support when they were attacked by the Taliban at the end of the operation. Nato is investigating. | |
Militants have stepped up attacks as foreign combat troops leave this year. | Militants have stepped up attacks as foreign combat troops leave this year. |
The incident, which happened on Monday, is among the most serious cases of so-called "friendly fire" in Afghanistan, where Nato-led troops have been battling Taliban and other insurgents since 2001. | |
A statement from international forces in Kabul said: "Tragically there is the possibility that fratricide may have been involved." | |
Nato did not immediately confirm the nationality of these latest casualties. | |
But the BBC's David Loyn in Kabul says the term "fratricide" is used by US forces when they mistakenly kill soldiers on their own side. | |
The Isaf force currently has soldiers from 50 contributing nations in Afghanistan. Most troops stationed in the south are American. | |
The governor of Zabul province told the BBC there was a joint operation involving Afghan and international troops. | The governor of Zabul province told the BBC there was a joint operation involving Afghan and international troops. |
The incident happened in Arghandab district, a place hotly contested between the Taliban and international forces for some years, our correspondent reports. | |
Southern Afghanistan is the heartland of the Taliban movement and insurgents frequently attack security forces in the region. | Southern Afghanistan is the heartland of the Taliban movement and insurgents frequently attack security forces in the region. |
There have been more than 30 Nato forces killed this year in Afghanistan - the latest incident is the deadliest so far in 2014. | There have been more than 30 Nato forces killed this year in Afghanistan - the latest incident is the deadliest so far in 2014. |
Afghanistan is set to hold a run-off round of voting in its presidential election on Saturday. | Afghanistan is set to hold a run-off round of voting in its presidential election on Saturday. |
Insurgents - who vowed to disrupt campaigning and voting - attacked the campaign rally of one of the contenders last week. | Insurgents - who vowed to disrupt campaigning and voting - attacked the campaign rally of one of the contenders last week. |