KABUL, Afghanistan, Oct. 28 (UPI) -- NATO promised Saturday to investigate the deaths of some 70 Afghan civilians killed by NATO-led troops in Kandahar Province's Panjwayi district.
"In the night in the fog of war, mistakes were made," NATO's top military commander, British Gen. David Richards, said in Kabul.
He defended Tuesday's Panjwayi operation, saying local elders and other citizens "indicated that the great majority of those killed were Taliban," CNN reported.
The International Committee of the Red Cross Friday confirmed up to 70 civilians were caught in the crossfire.
"Aerial bombardment and ground offensives in populated rural areas, together with recent suicide attacks and roadside bombs in urban areas, have significantly increased the number of innocent civilians killed, injured or displaced," it said.
The Red Cross urged all parties to respect international humanitarian law and "to maintain a distinction between fighters and civilians at all times."
