NATO Air Strikes Kill Scores In Afghanistan's South

A British helicopter supplying troops in Helmand Province (file photo) (epa) July 27, 2007 -- NATO and Afghan troops clashed with Taliban militants in Helmand Province overnight, with NATO air strikes killing scores of people.

There are conflicting claims about the number of Taliban and civilians killed.

Wali Jan Sabri, a lawmaker from Helmand, said he has credible information that up to 60 civilians were killed by air strikes during the battle in the Gereshk district.

Gereshk district chief Abdul Manaf Khan said 50 suspected Taliban fighters were killed, along with up to 28 civilians.

A spokesman for British forces, Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Mayo, denied that any civilians were killed.

(Reuters, AP)