A US airstrike targeted a Taliban meeting in Andar district of southern Ghazni province on Tuesday, officials said, a claim rejected by the militant group, like reported by pajhwok.com.
The governor’s spokesman, Mohammad Arif Noori, told Pajhwok Afghan News the airstrike hit the Taliban meeting in Attal area in the afternoon.
“The Taliban had gathered to plan how to prevent an ongoing Afghan forces operation in this province, but they came under an airstrike,” he said.
He said a large number of Taliban militants had been killed in the attack, but exact figures could not be ascertained so far.
Mohammad Shah, a resident of Andar district, confirmed the airstrike. “Civilians also exist in the area, but it is unclear who are killed in this incident,” he said.
A Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, also confirmed the attack in Attal area but he rejected a Taliban meeting had been the target.
“Taliban never organize major meetings in such a sensitive situation,” he said.
A clearing operation against the Taliban is underway in Andar district and some other parts of Ghazni province since a week.
