The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) denied killing non-combatants in Shindand district of western Herat province Saturday, stressing all those killed were militants, Xinhua reported.
"Afghan and the international security force searched a number of compounds in the vicinity of Koruhaay village, Shindand district. The forces were then fired upon while clearing the compounds, and several armed insurgents were killed. One of the individuals killed was a woman who was armed,"the press release emphasized.
It also stressed that the security force protected several women and children present in the compounds, and no civilians were harmed during the operation.
Early in the day governor of Shindand district Lal Mohammad Omarzai told media that clash between U.S. troops and militants on Friday night left four Taliban militants and three civilians dead. Three more civilians from the same family, according to Omarzai sustained injuries.
ISAF denies killing civilians, says insurgents including armed woman killed
