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17 Policemen Killed In ‘Friendly Fire’ Airstrike In Helmand

Almost eight police force members lost their lives in a friendly fire airstrike in Nahr-e-Saraj district in the southern Helmand province, a source confirmed.

Lieutenant Gran Habib, Commander of 601 Highway, was also among those who lost their lives in the airstrike, the source said.

The Ministry of Interior Affairs in a statement confirmed the casualties but said an investigation has been carried out to find out whether it was due to a friendly airstrike or due to the clashes with the Taliban.

At least 11 other policemen were wounded in the clashes, the ministry said.

Meanwhile, Attaullah Afghan, head of Helmand Provincial Council, said that at least 17 policemen were killed in the airstrike which was carried by foreign forces "by mistake".

The airstrike was carried out by foreign forces who were asked by their Afghan counterparts to help them in the clash against the Taliban, the ministry said.

The ministry said Taliban has also suffered heavy losses in the clashes.

The National Security Council in a statement on Saturday confirmed that a number of policemen including Colonel Habib were killed in an airstrike "mistakenly carried out by foreign forces" in Helmand province. 

The Resolute Support in a statement said the airstrike was not carried out by the mission. 

"This air strike was not carried out by Resolute Support as we are on a non-combat mission," the statement said.

17 Policemen Killed In ‘Friendly Fire’ Airstrike In Helmand

The Ministry of Interior says a probe has been launched into the incident to find out the main reason behind the casualties.

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Almost eight police force members lost their lives in a friendly fire airstrike in Nahr-e-Saraj district in the southern Helmand province, a source confirmed.

Lieutenant Gran Habib, Commander of 601 Highway, was also among those who lost their lives in the airstrike, the source said.

The Ministry of Interior Affairs in a statement confirmed the casualties but said an investigation has been carried out to find out whether it was due to a friendly airstrike or due to the clashes with the Taliban.

At least 11 other policemen were wounded in the clashes, the ministry said.

Meanwhile, Attaullah Afghan, head of Helmand Provincial Council, said that at least 17 policemen were killed in the airstrike which was carried by foreign forces "by mistake".

The airstrike was carried out by foreign forces who were asked by their Afghan counterparts to help them in the clash against the Taliban, the ministry said.

The ministry said Taliban has also suffered heavy losses in the clashes.

The National Security Council in a statement on Saturday confirmed that a number of policemen including Colonel Habib were killed in an airstrike "mistakenly carried out by foreign forces" in Helmand province. 

The Resolute Support in a statement said the airstrike was not carried out by the mission. 

"This air strike was not carried out by Resolute Support as we are on a non-combat mission," the statement said.

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