Air strike kills children

Kabul: An Afghan military air strike targeting Taliban fighters killed at least 12 people, including children, and wounded 14 in an attack that hit a religious school in the province of Takhar, provincial officials said yesterday.

Hadi Jamal, a spokesman for an Afghan military unit, confirmed the air strike and said an investigation had been launched.

Taliban fighters killed at least 37 government troops in attacks over the previous 72 hours as the insurgents mounted an offensive to overrun Baharak district in Takhar, prompting government forces to call in air support, provincial officials said. — Reuters