2011-02-20 21:20

KABUL, Afghanistan - NATO says it is investigating claims by Afghan government officials that 64 civilians died in coalition operations in a remote part of northeast Afghanistan.

Gen. Khalilullah Ziayi, police chief of Kunar province, said Sunday that 15 men, 20 women and 29 children or young adults were killed during ground and air operations in Ghazi Abad district in the past four days. Kunar provincial governor, Fazlullah Wahidi, also has reported that 64 civilians were killed.

NATO says video of airstrikes conducted there show coalition troops targeting and killing 36 armed insurgents.

The coalition says it is sending investigators to the rugged valley to look into allegations that civilians were harmed in NATO operations.