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Police: Errant U.S. bombing kills 12 Afghan security forces

FILE -- In this May 31, 2017 file photo, an injured man is seen after an explosion in Kabul, Afghanistan. A U.N. report released Monday, July 17, 2017, said Afghanistan's protracted war killed a record number of civilians during the first six months of this year, blaming the majority of the deaths on bombings by insurgents. U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein says the "horrifying" figure of 1,662 people killed between January and June of this year "can never fully convey the sheer human suffering of the people of Afghanistan." (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul, File)
FILE -- In this May 31, 2017 file photo, an injured man is seen after an explosion in Kabul, Afghanistan. A U.N. report released Monday, July 17, 2017, said Afghanistan's protracted war killed a record number of civilians during the first six months of this year, blaming the majority of the deaths on bombings by insurgents. U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein says the "horrifying" figure of 1,662 people killed between January and June of this year "can never fully convey the sheer human suffering of the people of Afghanistan." (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul, File) FILE -- In this May 31, 2017 file photo, an injured man is seen after an explosion in Kabul, Afghanistan. A U.N. report released Monday, July 17, 2017, said Afghanistan's protracted war killed a record number of civilians during the first six months of this year, blaming the majority of the deaths on bombings by insurgents. U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein says the "horrifying" figure of 1,662 people killed between January and June of this year "can never fully convey the sheer human suffering of the people of Afghanistan." (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul, File)

By Associated Press 1 min read

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) – The Helmand provincial police chief says an errant U.S. airstrike confirmed by the Pentagon killed 12 Afghan National Police personnel and wounded two others.

Abdul Ghafar Safi said Saturday the death toll in Friday’s airstrike was determined after a site inspection of the compound in Gereshk District of Helmand province.

The United States in a statement confirmed the airstrike on the Security Forces compound occurred during a U.S.-supported operation against Taliban insurgents in the area.

While much of Helmand province is under the control of Taliban, Afghan national security forces have been waging fierce battles to retake territory. NATO and U.S. troops are in Helmand to assist Afghan troops.

Safi told The Associated Press the dead were police officers who were operating with the army in the area.