Nato voices regret over Afghanistan civilian deaths

Nato has voiced regret for the killing of eight civilians in an airstrike this month in eastern Afghanistan.

The coalition dropped two bombs on February 8 in Najrab district in Kapisa province, after movements by eight people on the ground were assessed as a threat to Afghan police and Nato forces in the area.

Air Commodore Mike Wigston, the director of Nato air operations, said today that the international forces believed they were "young teenagers" who were armed.

Local officials say seven were boys between the ages of six and 14 and one was a mentally ill young man aged around 18 to 20.

US Gen John Allen, the top commander in Afghanistan, has met with the provincial governor to express his condolences.