Rocket hits Afghan wedding party

Afghanistan yesterday launched an investigation into whether the army was responsible for mortars fired into a wedding party that killed at least 20 guests in the restive southern province of Helmand.

Many of the dead were women and children and at least 50 people were injured in the incident late Wednesday in Sangin district, a Taliban stronghold where US and British troops were involved in years of fierce fighting.

The attack came during clashes in the area between Afghan forces and insurgents following the end of Nato's combat operations on December 31 after 13 years of war.

"We confirm the attack on a wedding ceremony in Sangin last night," deputy defence ministry spokesman Dawlat Waziri told AFP.

"We have appointed a delegation to do their investigation. They went to the area where the attack took place. After their investigation, we will share its results."

Karem Atal, head of the Helmand provincial council, said the Afghan army was to blame for the mistaken attack.

The Taliban issued a statement also saying the Afghan army was responsible.

"Last night, puppet security forces fired mortars from so many directions on a wedding ceremony," the statement said.

"In this attack, 62 people were killed including women and children, and many others wounded. We condemn this brutal and cowardly attack."

President Ashraf Ghani said in a speech yesterday that Afghan forces were now solely responsible for security, as the country struggles with a worsening insurgency.

"Today our security forces have become successful in defending sovereignty and taking full security responsibility," Ghani, who made no mention of the wedding deaths, said.