ATO and Afghan officials say a U.S. helicopter has attacked a medical clinic in eastern Afghanistan after a wounded Taliban commander sought treatment there. Officials say U.S. and Afghan forces clashed with insurgents at the clinic after militants put up resistance. The militant death toll from Wednesday's fight varied widely from none killed to 12 dead.
A U.S. statement Thursday says an AH-64 Apache helicopter fired rounds at the clinic after it was cleared of civilians. It says seven insurgents have been detained. Hamidullah Zhwak, spokesman for Paktika province's governor, says the attack began after a wounded Taliban commander went for treatment at the clinic. U.S. and Afghan forces were tipped off and fighting with some 20 militants lasted about five hours. |