Afghan protesters decry U.S. operations

MEHTERLAM, Afghanistan, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- Angry demonstrators in eastern Afghanistan Sunday protested a U.S-led raid against Taliban insurgents in the region, which they say killed 16 Afghan civilians.

President Hamid Karzai also has criticized the operation in Mehterlam, the capital of Laghman province, Voice of America reported.

Chanting slogans against Karzai and the United States, protesters demanded an end to foreign-led military operations in the country.

U.S military officials say the Friday night raid killed 15 militants and was conducted after coalition forces in the area came under attack.

Karzai said in a statement that bombing villages and causing civilian deaths will undermine progress in the war against terrorism.

Voice of America reported that anti-terrorist operations led by foreign and Afghan forces in Afghanistan have killed an estimated 700 civilians within the past year.