Drone strikes kill 18 Afghan civilians in Nangarhar province

A total of 18 Afghan civilians have been confirmed dead and six others injured as an unmanned plane targeted a suspected hideout of the Islamic State (IS) fighters in Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province on Wednesday, provincial police spokesman Mabariz Atal told Xinhua Thursday.

The strikes, according to the official, were conducted by the NATO-led Resolute Support mission in Wazir Tangi area of the province's Khogiani district on Wednesday evening against IS hideout, but unfortunately 18 civilians were killed and six more wounded.

The villagers were collecting pine nuts from trees in the mountainous area when the air raids happened, Atal further said.

Investigation has been initiated into the incident, the official further said.