Coalition airstrike kills 60 Taliban rebels, 16 civilians

US-led coalition aircraft killed about 60 suspected Taliban militants and 16 civilians in an airstrike on a rebel stronghold in southern Afghanistan, an Afghan governor said today.

US-led coalition spokesman Maj. Scott Lundy confirmed the strike on the village of Azizi in Kandahar province and said about 50 militants were killed.

He said the military was investigating whether some civilians had also died.

Kandahar Gov. Asadullah Khalid said besides the 16 civilians killed, another 16 had been wounded and taken to hospitals in Kandahar city, a former Taliban stronghold.

“These sort of accidents happen during fighting, especially when the Taliban are hiding in homes,” he said.

“I urge people not to give shelter to the Taliban.”