KABUL, Jan 24: US-led coalition forces said on Saturday they had killed 15 militants in an operation in eastern Afghanistan.

The forces said they launched an operation in Mehtarlam, the capital of Laghman province, on Friday, targeting a Taliban commander believed to conduct “terrorist activities” in Kabul, and Laghman and Kapisa provinces.

But local legislators put the number of dead at 21 and said they included women and children.

The head of the provincial council, Emadudin Abdulrahimzay, said 21 people were killed and their bodies found at different locations. “They were all civilians, including two women and two children,” he said.

Sayed Ahmad Safi, the spokesman for the provincial governor, confirmed the incident but said that more than ten people were killed.—AFP