US-led forces in Afghanistan mistakenly killed seven policemen in an air strike after Afghan forces were attacked by the Taliban and asked for help, an official said.
Afghan police officers inspect their checkpoint destroyed by US forces east of Kabul, Reuters
Thirteen policemen had gone missing in the violence that began last night in Khogiani district of the eastern province of Nangarhar, which borders Pakistan, the district police chief said.
If the deaths are confirmed, the incident would be one of the most serious cases involving the police in years of mistaken fire by Afghanistan's US-led coalition force.
The air strike came after Taliban stormed police posts and police reinforcements were sent in while a call was put out for help from US forces, the police chief said.
Elsewhere, Nato forces killed three Afghan civilians in the eastern province of Kunar yesterday after their car failed to halt at a checkpoint, Nato said.
More than 120 Afghan civilians have been killed by foreign forces in recent months, according to government officials.
President Hamid Karzai is already facing widespread resentment among the public over Taliban attacks, lack of development and growing corruption.