Friendly fire claims six Afghan soldiers

KABUL, Afghanistan, April 3 (UPI) -- Friendly fire by German troops killed six Afghan soldiers after three German troops died in fighting with the Taliban in Afghanistan, officials say.

The Afghan Defense Ministry said Saturday the German forces in northern Kunduz province mistook the Afghan soldiers for insurgents, CNN reported. The Afghan troops were taking food to troops in Khakani village Friday evening when they came under fire, the U.S. broadcaster said.

Kunduz Gov. Mohammad Omar said three German soldiers were killed and five others wounded in a firefight with Taliban fighters earlier in the day, CNN said.

The New York Times reported German military officials said the Afghan troops were riding in civilian cars and were fired upon when they failed to stop after being signaled to do so as they approached a German base. The Afghan Defense Ministry and Omar said the troops were in military vehicles. The incident was being investigated, a NATO spokesman told the Times.