Afghan locals say women and children were among civilians killed in an air attack by international forces in the country's south.

Locals say that 25 civilians were killed in the attack in the Nad Ali district of Helmand province.

An Afghan villager Abdul Rahim says he helped to carry 16 bodies to the provincial capital Lashkar Gar to show the governor that they were civilian casualties.

The provincial police chief Assadullah Shirzad says he has seen some of the bodies.

NATO's International Security Assistance Force says an air strike in the area is being investigated but cannot confirm any civilian casualties.

Civilian deaths continue to damage the efforts of international forces fighting the Taliban-led insurgency.