Thirty Civilians Killed During Taliban Battle

A Taliban training camp (Picture: PA). 

At least 30 civilians have been killed, along with 16 Taliban fighters, as government forces fought the insurgents in Helmand province overnight, an Afghan official said.

Attahullah Afghan, who heads the provincial council, said most of the casualties, including men, women and children, were the victims of an airstrike that hit a house on Tuesday night during military operations there.

A statement from the governor's office in Helmand confirmed that 16 Taliban insurgents were killed and said an investigation was under way to determine civilian casualties.

It said the militants had stockpiled ammunition in the area of the operation, which could have caused civilian casualties.

There was also a car packed with explosives which ignited during the strike.

Qari Yusouf Ahmadi, a Taliban spokesman, claimed all the victims were civilians.