[Quqnoos] A NATO-led air strike has killed four civilians, including two women and a child, while targeting suspected militants, the military said TuesdayThe incident on Monday in the Nahr-e Saraj district in Helmand province came after ISAF admitted killing three women in an overnight raid on a village in eastern Afghanistan in February, having initially denied involvement.
"Insurgents were using the compound as a firing position when combined forces, unaware of the possible presence of civilians, directed air assets against it," the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said.
"Later, once they were able to enter the compound, combined forces found four dead civilians -- two women, an elderly man and a child -- inside," a statement read.
"Four males, suspected insurgents, were also found dead inside the compound."
ISAF said a joint investigation with Afghan security forces had been launched into Monday's incident "to review the factors leading up to this unfortunate loss of civilian life".
Such losses are often used by Afghan politicians and the Taliban to whip up public opposition to the presence of foreign troops.