Local residents in Arghandab district in the southern province of Kandahar claimed on Sunday that at least 11 civilians were killed in airstrikes in the district.  
 
The airstrikes, the residents said, hit civilian houses and women and children were among those killed in the incident. 
 
Kandahar Police Chief Tadeen Khan said the Taliban members were planting mines in an area in the district and that civilians were killed after the Taliban bombs were detonated. 

The Defense Ministry said that it is aware of the reports of civilian casualties and that it will investigate the matter. He blamed the Taliban for using civilian houses as shields.
 
Former president Hamid Karzai in a tweet said he “strongly condemns the foreign airstrikes in Arghandab, Kandahar, which killed several members of a family, including children.” 
He said the return of peace is the only way to end the suffering of the Afghan people. 

The Afghanistan Human Rights Commission condemned the airstrikes and called it clear violation of human rights.

“We call on the government to share the results of the investigation with the people and we hope that it is done as soon as possible,” said Zabihullah Farhang, head of media office of the commission.

Some eyewitnesses of the incident and lawmakers from Kandahar said that eight children and three women lost their lives in the attack.

“I took the children away from the scene. Some of them were martyred. They attacked three times,” said Gul Mohammad, a relative of the victims.

“I was standing there. I heard a big sound when the airplanes came,” said a resident of the district.  

“A child who is just breastfed. Such children have lost their lives in airstrikes,” said Sayed Ahmad Selab, an MP from Kandahar.