Kabul Says NATO Air Strike Kills Four Afghan Soldiers

Afghan Defense Ministry spokesman Mohammad Zahir Azimi (file photo)

Afghanistan's Defense Ministry says a NATO air strike killed four Afghan soldiers late on December 15 in southern Afghanistan, apparently mistaking them for insurgents.

Defense Ministry spokesman General Mohammad Zahir Azimi said the soldiers had left their base in Musa Qala district, in Helmand Province, when they came under fire from NATO planes.

The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force confirmed it carried out an air strike on December 15 against insurgents in the area.

It said a team had been sent to investigate the incident.

There have been at least two other incidents this year when NATO troops mistakenly killed Afghan soldiers in air strikes aimed at insurgents.

compiled from agency reports