US-Afghan probe: Civilians killed in US battle

A joint US-Afghan investigation has found that civilians were killed during a battle in southern Afghanistan, but officials have not been able to determine how many. Initial results from the investigation found that Taliban fighters deliberately forced villagers into houses from which they attacked Afghan and U.S. forces. Bombing runs would then have targeted those houses. Afghan officials in Bala Baluk district of Farah province have said dozens of civilians died in bombing runs on Monday. One official said he collected the names of 147 people killed in the fighting. A US spokeswoman said such high numbers are "extremely over-exaggerated." The joint report says more information will be released once the investigation is complete.