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ReutersKABUL (Reuters) - NATO launched an investigation on Tuesday into whether its forces had killed four civilians -- two women, a child and an elderly man -- in an air strike overnight on a compound in southern Afghanistan.
The issue of civilian casualties is an emotive one in Afghanistan, feeding a common perception international forces do not take enough care when launching air strikes, and undermining support for their continued presence in the country.
The United Nations says new guidelines issued by the commander of NATO and U.S. forces last year have helped reduce the number of civilians they kill, but such incidents still cause deep anger among Afghans the foreign troops are meant to protect.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the NATO-led force said it had carried out an air strike on a compound in Nahr-e-Saraj, a district in southern Helmand province also known as Gereshk, after coming under fire from insurgents inside.
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http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2010/04/06/world/international-uk-afghanistan-civilians.html