NATO air strike kills Afghan civilians

A NATO air strike in southern Afghanistan mistakenly killed four civilians, including two women and a child, while targeting suspected militants in a compound, the military said Tuesday.

"Insurgents were using the compound as a firing position when combined forces, unaware of the possible presence of civilians, directed air assets against it," the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said.

"Later, once they were able to enter the compound, combined forces found four dead civilians -- two women, an elderly man and a child -- inside," a statement read.

"Four males, suspected insurgents, were also found dead inside the compound."

Asked by AFP if the civilians were killed by the coalition air strike an ISAF spokesman said: "yes sir".