Afghan journalists covering the aftermath of a suicide attack and shooting in eastern Afghanistan say US troops deleted their photos and video and warned them not to publish any images.
Afghan witnesses said US forces fired on civilians in cars and on foot along at least a six-mile stretch of road in Nangarhar province following a suicide attack against the marine convoy.
The US military said militants also fired on US forces during the attack. Sources said eight Afghans died and 34 were wounded.
A freelance photographer working for the Associated Press and a cameraman working for AP Television News said a US soldier deleted their photos and video showing a four-wheel drive vehicle in which three people were shot dead about 100 yards from the suicide bombing.
The AP plans to lodge a protest with the US military.
The photographer, Rahmat Gul, said witnesses at the scene told him the three had been shot dead by US forces fleeing from the attack. The two AP freelancers arrived at the site about a half hour after the suicide bombing, Mr Gul said.
AP