NATO strikes kill Afghan civilians

KABUL, Afghanistan, July 28 (UPI) -- Four soldiers died and several dozen civilians were reported killed in separate incidents in Afghanistan Saturday.

Three NATO troops and an Afghan soldier died Friday when their helicopter gunship made a forced landing in eastern Afghanistan, Alalam Satellite TV reported.

The deaths bring to 124 the number of NATO soldiers killed this year in Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, the civilian toll continued to grow, Alalam said. An airstrike Friday killed more than 50 civilians in a battle between NATO troops and the Taliban in the Girishk district of Helmand province. At least 28 of the civilians died trying to flee the battle, District Chief Manaf Khan told the TV news.

An airstrike Thursday killed 15 civilians in the Char Cheno district of nearby Uruzgan, Alalam reported. 

More than 50,000 troops under NATO command presently serve in Afghanistan.