Afghan probe team: US airstrike killed at least 14 civilians in Parwan

A delegation of the Afghan officials including parliament members, who were assigned by president Karzai to investigate the US airstrike in northern Parwan province of Afghanistan, has revealed at least 14 civilians were killed in the air raid. Afghan lawmaker Abdul Satar Khawasi who was heading the probe team has said, at least 14 civilians including three women and five children were killed in US airstrike in Siagh Gerd district, according to Afghan Khaama Press.Khawasi who met with the local residents in Siah Gerd district, said US forces initially conducted an airstrike in Surkhi area of Siah Gerd district which left at least two kids dead and their mother injured.Local residents also told Khawasi that US forces resumed airstrike from 10 pm local time which continued until early morning on Wednesday.He said a brief report has been prepared which also includes the pictures of the victims and the documents will be presented in Afghan parliament on Saturday.This come as the Afghan presidential palace media following a statement on Wednesday condemned the airstrike and said at least eight people including a woman and seven children were killed.The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) on Wednesday also confirmed the civilian casualties during a joint military operation in northern Afghanistan.ISAF following a statement said, “International Security Assistance Force regrets that civilians were killed Jan. 15 during a deliberately-planned, Afghan-led clearing operation to disrupt insurgent activity in Ghorband district, Parwan province.”ISAF in its statement further added that the operation was conducted in a high threat area to target senior Taliban leaders, Qari Nzar Gul and Noorullah, who are involved in major attacks against the Afghan and coalition security forces. ISAF confirmed that two civilians were killed after coalition forces provided defensive air support to Afghan commandos in Ghorband who came under heavy fire from insurgents.