Some Helmand resident on Wednesday claimed that at least 30 civilians were killed in an airstrike in Garmsir district in the province on Tuesday evening.
The residents said the airstrike was conducted at around 9pm on Tuesday and that the victims were members of one family.
They said that only one member of the family has survived the airstrike, who is a teenager.
The survived member of the family is under treatment at Helmand central hospital.
“It was 9pm when the airstrike began. A Taliban vehicle was near the house and then the attack started. In the house, 30 people including women and children were killed and only one teenager survived who has sustained injuries,” said Mohammadullah, a resident of Garmsir.
“The family had some guests at that night. The airstrike started at 9pm and killed the entire family,” said Ahmadullah, a resident of Garmsir.
“We ask government to prevent civilian casualties,” said Fida Mohammad, a resident of Garmsir.
Meanwhile, Helmand governor Mohammad Yasin confirmed the airstrike and said that Taliban as well as civilians have suffered casualties in the operation.
However, he did not give details on exact number of civilian casualties in the airstrike.
“Taliban had gathered in the village from other areas and wanted to plan an attack on Garmsir district and our security belts were under threat for the past few days. Then the forces started operation,” the governor said.
“A number of key Taliban members were under surveillance of the Air Force. The airstrike has inflicted casualties on both sides,” Yasin said.
A Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, has claimed in a social media post that the foreign forces airstrike in Helmand has killed 23 civilians.
