KABUL -- Afghanistan's Defence Ministry said that civilian casualties allegedly from an air strike in Kunduz Province on Monday (April 2) were actually caused by Taliban militants, Khaama Press reported.
The air strike hit a madrassa in Dasht-i-Archi District, killing at least 59 people, including Taliban commanders, Afghan security sources told AFP on the condition of anonymity.
Civilians were among the casualties, said witnesses. The United Nations said Tuesday (April 3) it was probing "disturbing reports of serious harm to civilians", including to children, in the air strike.
Afghan army helicopters carried out the air strike based on accurate intelligence on a Taliban stronghold in the district, said Defence Ministry spokesman Mohammad Radmanesh at a news conference Tuesday in Kabul.
Only Taliban militants and their leaders were present in the compound before the raid occurred, he said, presenting photos taken of the site before the air strike.
Afghan army helicopters fired rockets at the madrassa, prompting retaliatory fire from the militants, according to Radmanesh.
The Taliban insurgents later opened small arms fire on civilians, inflicting casualties, he said.
