US-led coalition forces in Afghanistan have killed eight civilians during an air strike targeting insurgents, according to the US military.

Two others were wounded in the bombing in western Farah province on Tuesday, the military said in a statement.

The air strike was ordered after insurgents attacked a convoy of coalition forces, it said.

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Correspondents say the issue of civilian casualties is hugely sensitive in Afghanistan.

President Hamid Karzai has said that no civilian casualty is acceptable.

Sensitive issue

Tuesday's air strike leading to the death of civilians happened in Bakwa district of Farah province.

"The [coalition] convoy was conducting a routine patrol when insurgents attacked using machine-gun and artillery fire," the US military release said.
"Coalition forces called for aerial fire support against the insurgents, who were concealed within houses lined along the nearby street," the statement added.

The incident is being investigated, it said.

Correspondents say most civilian deaths in Afghanistan are caused by Taleban fighters and other militants opposed to President Karzai and US and Nato-led forces.

However, foreign troops have also often killed civilians, leading to an erosion of support for their presence in Afghanistan.

Last year a US army spokesman said he was "deeply ashamed" after US marines killed 19 civilians near Jalalabad in Nangarhar province.

President Karzai has been scathing in his criticism over the deaths of Afghan civilians, even summoning foreign commanders in May 2007 to tell them "that the patience of the Afghan people is wearing thin with the continued killing of innocent civilians".

(BBC)

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