The bombing

Afghans say 17 civilians dead in US air strike:

"Seventeen civilians died in the US bombing of the village," Kunar governor Assadullah Wafa told AFP. "There are a number of children and women among the victims but I don't have the exact figure right now."

The US military was not immediately available to comment on the casualty figures given by the provincial governor and earlier cancelled a regular news briefing scheduled for Monday.

US spokesman Colonel James Yonts said at the weekend that "all possible efforts are taken to prevent non-combatant injuries and deaths." But he did not exclude the possibility civilians had been struck in the bombing.

An unlucky shot, perhaps?