Airstrikes hit clinic, school in Helmand's capital

Airstrikes damaged a health clinic and a high school in the capital of southern Afghanistan's Helmand province, a provincial council member said Sunday.

A Defense Ministry statement confirmed that airstrikes were carried out in parts of the city of Lashkar Gah.

It said forces targeted Taliban positions, killing 54 fighters and wounding 23 others. It made no mention of a clinic or school being bombed.

Majid Akhund, a member of Helmand provincial council, said airstrikes hit a health clinic and a school in the city late Saturday.

But he said the area was under Taliban control so any casualties could have been caused by Taliban forces there.

A Taliban surge has intensified as U.S. and NATO troops wrap up their withdrawal from the country.

As Taliban attacks increase, Afghan security forces and government troops have retaliated with airstrikes aided by the United States. The fighting has raised growing concerns about civilian casualties.

An official from the Helmand public health department said a nurse was killed when an airstrike hit a health clinic and a guard was wounded.

In a statement, the Taliban pinned the blame on “American invaders” and said Safyano Hospital and Muhammad Anwar Khan high school were bombed.

The clinic in Lashkar Gah was offering services mostly to nomads who were passing through the area, according to Akhund, but in recent days the area was under Taliban control and Taliban members may have been treated there.

Heavy fighting has taken place in and around Lashkar Gah and both U.S. and Afghan government air forces have conducted airstrikes in the city. The Taliban control nine of the city’s 10 police districts.