60 civilians killed in Nato attacks in Afghanistan

At least 60 civilians have been killed this week during Nato operations in a volatile southern area of Afghanistan, government officials said today.

A provincial council member, Bismallah Afghanmal, said 80-85 civilians were killed in fighting in the Panjwayi district of Kandahar province on Tuesday. A villager, Karim Jan, said 60-70 died.

Another government official said at least 60 were killed.

Nato’s International Security Assistance Force said its forces killed 48 militants in heavy fighting in Panjwayi on Tuesday.

Nato also said it had “credible reports” of civilian casualties, though it only said that it knew of four civilians who had been wounded.