Officials in Afghanistan were today investigating the possible deaths of 60 civilians during a Nato and Afghan army offensive in the south of the country.
At least 48 insurgents were killed in a day of fighting in the Panjwai district of Kandahar province on Tuesday.
Major Luke Knitig, a spokesman for the international security assistance force, said 60 dead bodies had been discovered, but it was "very unclear" whether they were civilians or insurgents.
The possible civilian deaths, which a UN statement said were in the village of Nangawat, happened during Eid, the festival marking the end of Ramadan.
Bismallah Afghanmal, a Kandahar provincial council member, told the Associated Press that between 80 and 85 people had been killed. A villager, Karim Jan, said between 60 and 70 had died.
"It was late at night - that might be the reason they didn't know where to bomb," Agha Lalai, another member of the provincial council, told Reuters. "They have bombed residential houses."
Witnesses told Reuters that 25 homes were demolished during four to five hours of bombing.
At least 48 insurgents were killed in a day of fighting in the Panjwai district of Kandahar province on Tuesday.
Major Luke Knitig, a spokesman for the international security assistance force, said 60 dead bodies had been discovered, but it was "very unclear" whether they were civilians or insurgents.
The possible civilian deaths, which a UN statement said were in the village of Nangawat, happened during Eid, the festival marking the end of Ramadan.
Bismallah Afghanmal, a Kandahar provincial council member, told the Associated Press that between 80 and 85 people had been killed. A villager, Karim Jan, said between 60 and 70 had died.
"It was late at night - that might be the reason they didn't know where to bomb," Agha Lalai, another member of the provincial council, told Reuters. "They have bombed residential houses."
Witnesses told Reuters that 25 homes were demolished during four to five hours of bombing.
