Five Afghan police killed in coalition 'friendly fire'

US-led coalition forces mistakenly killed five Afghan police in a clash in a southern province, the government said today.

There was no immediate comment from the coalition.

The police were manning a checkpoint in Gereshk district in Helmand province when the clash broke out at about 7pm (2.30pm Irish time) yesterday, said Interior Ministry spokesman Zemeri Bashary in Kabul.

“Coalition forces mistakenly opened fire on police,” Mr Bashary said. “Unfortunately five policemen were killed.”