KABUL – *The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) onMonday released its findings on airstrikes carried out by government forcesin Dasht-e-Archi district in Kunduz province on April 2. *

The organization said in a report that 36 people were killed in theairstrike and 71 others were wounded.

According to the report, from those killed and wounded in the airstrikes,81 are children.

The report however notes that UNAMA received additional credibleinformation indicating higher figures.

The report is based on more than 90 interviews with victims, witnesses,government officials and medical personnel; three large communityconsultations in Kunduz city; and accounts received during a fact-findingmission to the site of the attack, UNAMA said in a statement.

“A key finding of this report is that the government, which indicated theairstrike targeted senior Taliban leaders present in the area, used rocketsand heavy machinegun fire on and around a religious gathering, killing andinjuring civilians, the majority of whom were children,” the report said.

The report details how UNAMA was not able to confirm the civilian status ofeach individual killed or injured, nor was the mission in a position todetermine the presence or actions of the Taliban leaders or units at thetime of the airstrike.

The report makes several recommendations to government, includingconducting a review of military policies to ensure compliance withinternational humanitarian law to protect civilians at all times.

The report says “however, the airstrike took place after the Afghan airforces targeted a graduation ceremony was being conducted at the madrassa”. tags: Afghanistan