KUNDAHAR, Afghanistan, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- At least four civilians and 10 militants were killed following Afghan Air Force-led airstrikes in the southern province of Kandahar overnight, local police said Friday.
The airstrikes were called in after Taliban militants launched a massive attack on district government buildings in Obooqala locality of Maruf district Thursday night, provincial police chief Gen. Abdul Raziq told Xinhua.
The air force planes launched sorties on Taliban vehicles during the fighting, however, the strikes also affected nearby civilian vehicles, leaving the casualties.
Eight civilians and several militants were also wounded after the air raids, he added.
He blamed Taliban militants for using civilians as human shield as several militants hide inside villagers' houses as the security force were pushing back the attackers.
Security situation has been improving in Kandahar, the former stronghold of Taliban, over the last months, as security forces have conducted search and cordon operations across the province. But the militants attack government interests there from time to time.
Taliban militants have launched massive attacks on Maruf, bordering Pakistan, trying to overrun the remote district and capture the government building within the past days.
Late last month, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) expressed its concern about the rising number of civilian casualties from airstrikes this year, as 21 civilians were killed and many others wounded in latest air raid incidents in eastern Wardak and Kapisa provinces in September.
