U.S.-led forces killed six men during a night raid in the southern Afghan province of Zabul, but Afghan officials disputed a U.S. military report that the victims were Taliban fighters.Mohammad Hashim, a member of Zabul's provincial council, said that the dead men belonged to two families and were not involved in militancy.
A U.S. military statement said the operation was aimed at Taliban insurgents and the "ensuing engagement resulted in six militants killed."
Though supported by the West, President Hamid Karzai's government has been undermined by civilian casualties inflicted by Western forces fighting the Taliban.
Karzai faces dwindling public support, analysts say, with a presidential election due in August.
Afghanistan has seen a sharp escalation of violence in recent years and is going through its bloodiest period since U.S.-backed forces overthrew the Taliban in late 2001.