'Friendly' Australian fire kills Afghans

KABUL, Afghanistan, Sept. 20 (UPI) -- The Australian Defense Force is investigating the shooting of several Afghan police officers and a district governor by Australian soldiers.

Both incidents occurred in the town of Tarin Kowt, in the south of Afghanistan.

Rozi Khan, the district governor of Chora, was killed with two of his body guards, The Canberra Times reported. Two other body guards were injured.

Gholub Wardak, deputy police chief in Oruzgan Province, said that Khan, an ally of President Hamid Karzai was called by a friend who thought Taliban fighters had surrounded his house. The house was actually surrounded by Australian special forces who shot Khan when he arrived, believing him to be Taliban.

In the other incident, special forces soldiers responded to gunfire by returning fire, The Age reported. None of the Australians was killed, but several Afghans, including police officers, were shot dead.

Military officials said that the Australians believed they were firing in self-defense.