**Nato is investigating whether its forces killed four civilians in an air strike on a compound in the southern Afghan province of Helmand.**It said it carried out the attack in Gereshk district after its troops came under fire from insurgents inside.
The bodies of four militants and two women, a child and an elderly man were later found in the compound, Nato says.
Civilian deaths at the hands of foreign forces have been a source of increasing friction between Afghans and Nato.
In a separate incident, Nato said it was also investigating reports that two children had been killed and two others wounded in a clash in the east of the country.
It said all four children were initially wounded in fighting between insurgents and troops of the Nato-led Isaf force in Kapisa province.
“The children were medically evacuated to an Isaf medical facility. Two of the children reportedly died of their wounds,” a statement said.
“It is unclear who caused the children’s injuries. The incident is under investigation.”
Nato admits that its killing of civilians has undermined support for its mission in Afghanistan. But it points out that far more people are killed in attacks by the Taliban and other militants.
The allliance has ordered its forces to reduce the number of air strikes and night raids in order to cut the risks to civilians.This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.