The anti-Taliban raids conducted by Afghan forces that were backed by US airstrikes killed at least 40 civilians who were attending a wedding ceremony in the southern Helmand province on September 22, according to the officials. The civilian deaths in Sunday night’s raids on Taliban hideouts escalated tensions in Afghanistan amid a rise in violence. The U.S.-Taliban peace talks to end America’s longest war also collapsed which was supposed to be held this month. President Ashraf Ghani’s spokesman, Sediq Sediqqi, said that the entire nation is saddened and devastated to hear the news of 40 civilians who lost their lives in an incident in Helmand despite the President Ghani's repeated warnings to take extra cautions while conducting military operations. He also added that Helmand's provincial government has been ordered to send an investigation team to the spot.

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Abdul Majed Akhund: Most of the dead were women and children

Most of the dead were women and children who were attending a wedding ceremony in Musa Qala district according to Abdul Majed Akhund, the deputy provincial councilman. He also added that 12 civilians were heavily injured and admitted to the hospital in Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand province. The incident took place during the second round of raids that were conducted in different areas of Musa Qala. Afghanistan's foreign ministry said in a statement that the operations killed 22 Taliban fighters which include foreigners. The statement also said that a large warehouse of supplies and equipment was also ravaged. Fourteen people were arrested including five Pakistani nationals and one Bangladeshi. The statement also said that the foreign terrorist group was actively engaged in organizing terror attacks.

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The US claims that its forces targeted the Islamic State Militants

The raids were conducted after a drone attack last week in eastern Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province and blamed US forces of killing reportedly 16 people and wounding tens of others, most of them civilians. The US claimed that its forces targeted the Islamic State militants. The violence has suddenly erupted as Afghanistan readies itself for presidential elections on Saturday which the Taliban opposes. The Taliban forces are very strong across Afghanistan since their ouster in 2001 and shaken the entire nation with their ghast attacks. The insurgent group has warned Afghans not to vote in the elections and said their forces would target election campaigns as well as polling stations.

(With AP inputs)

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