Afghan President Hamid Karzai has summoned the commander of NATO-led forces in his country to explain an air strike that Afghan officials say killed 10 civilians.
Several Taliban fighters also reportedly died in the February 13 air strike in eastern Kunar Province.
A statement from Karzai’s office quoted the president as saying "such incidents must strictly be avoided in future."
The statement said U.S. General Joseph Dunford expressed regret over the incident and pledged that NATO's International Security Assistance Force will "avoid carrying out operations and bombings in residential areas."
Dunford assumed command of NATO-led forces in Afghanistan on February 10 and will oversee the withdrawal of U.S. combat forces through 2014.
Civilian casualties inflicted by NATO forces are a highly sensitive issue and are regularly condemned by Karzai.
Several Taliban fighters also reportedly died in the February 13 air strike in eastern Kunar Province.
A statement from Karzai’s office quoted the president as saying "such incidents must strictly be avoided in future."
The statement said U.S. General Joseph Dunford expressed regret over the incident and pledged that NATO's International Security Assistance Force will "avoid carrying out operations and bombings in residential areas."
Dunford assumed command of NATO-led forces in Afghanistan on February 10 and will oversee the withdrawal of U.S. combat forces through 2014.
Civilian casualties inflicted by NATO forces are a highly sensitive issue and are regularly condemned by Karzai.