Scores of Afghan civilians killed in US airstrike

Kandahar: Scores of Afghan civilians were killed by a US airstrike, officials said on Wednesday, as President Hamid Karzai appealed to newly elected Barack Obama to end killing of innocents.

The civilians were headed to a wedding party in the Shah Wali Kot district in Kandahar on Monday when the airstrike hit.

A government officials said there had been civilian casualties but could not confirm the death toll. According to witnesses, more than 90 people were killed.

"By bombing Afghanistan, the war against terrorism cannot be won," Karzai told a news conference. "As we speak today, we had again civilian casualties ... In Shah Wali Kot of Kandahar we had civilian casualties," he said.

The US military said it was checking reports.
The airstrike occurred during a clash between foreign troops and Taliban insurgents in Shah Wali Kot district, an official said.