DHAKA: A Nato airstrike in the eastern Afghan province of Kunar has killed 15 people including nine civilians, Afghan officials say.

But a Nato spokeswoman told the BBC that a precision attack killed 10 insurgents and that she had no reports of civilians dying.

The Taliban frequently launch attacks in Kunar province, a volatile area bordering Pakistan.

Civilian casualties are a source of tension between Afghan and Nato forces.

In February Afghanistan president Karzai ordered a ban on Afghan security forces calling in airstrikes in residential areas after 10 civilians were allegedly killed in a Nato night attack in Kunar.

Nato troops are scheduled to withdraw from Afghanistan by the end of 2014 and have gradually been handing over responsibility for security to their Afghan counterparts, who now lead about 90% of all security operations.

Yet the Afghan air force has limited strength, so Nato air support is considered crucial, especially for operations in harsh terrain and mountainous areas.

BDST: 1408 HRS, SEPT 08, 2013
RoR/BSK