Four Afghan police mistakenly killed in special forces airstrike

KABUL, Afghanistan, Aug. 1 (UPI) -- At least four Afghan national police officers have been killed in an airstrike after Afghan special forces mistook them for militants, officials say.

The airstrike was in support of the police officers, who had been attacked by militants at a checkpoint in eastern Nangahar province, Khaama Press reported Thursday.

Two other police officers were injured in the Wednesday night attack, which lasted about three hours into early Thursday, said provincial government spokesman Ahmad Zia Abdulzai.

Abdulzai said the militants suffered heavy casualties, but he said the exact number had not been confirmed.

A number of civilians also were injured in the clash.