Inquiry says 'a number of civilians' killed in clashes with Taliban

A joint team of US and Afghan investigators confirmed that "a number of civilians" were killed in clashes with the Taliban in Farah province this week. Afghan President Hamid Karzai (pictured) said 130 people died as a result of US air strikes.A US and Afghan investigation confirmed Saturday that "a number of civilians" were killed in clashes with Taliban this week although President Hamid Karzai charged that 130 died in US air strikes. In its first statement after the battle in the southern province of Farah Monday and Tuesday, the joint investigation team said it was unable to give firmer figures because all the dead had been buried, some in mass graves.The statement also did not make clear if the dead were killed in air strikes or ground fighting centred on two villages in the district of Bala Buluk."The joint investigation team confirms that a number of civilians were killed in the course of the fighting..." it said.However, it "is unable to determine with certainty which of those casualties were Taliban fighters and which were non-combatants because those killed are all buried", it said.The US military and Afghan National Security Force (ANSF) team was still investigating the complex series of attacks, it said.The incident started when Taliban fighters, including non-Afghans, had gone to the villages of Ganj Abad and Grani and demanded money from locals.Militants also attacked police checkpoints, inflicting some casualties. The provincial government called for help from Afghan and coalition forces, it said.As heavy fighting continued for several hours, coalition troops called for close air support against their attackers.