NATO-led troops killed two civilians and detained three in Afghanistan's southern province of Kandahar, an official said Monday, dpa reported.
"NATO soldiers on patrol wanted to search a group of villagers Sunday evening in Arghandab district, but two of them ran away. They were shot dead by the troops," district governor Shah Mohammad Ahmadi told dpa.
He said the troops took three other villagers, who are still in their custody.
"We have started an investigation to find where they are held and attempt for their release, but the foreign forces deny any detention," Ahmadi said.
Ahmadi said the victims were civilians and had "no ties with the Taliban militants."
The military alliance confirmed the incident.
"We can confirm that two insurgents including a Taliban leader were killed during a joint Afghan and coalition troops operation in Kadanahar on Sunday," spokesman Captain Luca Carnael said.
"The combined troops arrested two others."
He said the troops also seized bomb-making materials.