KABUL - President Ashraf Ghani on Saturday said he has called for an investigation into a mortar attack allegedly by government troops a day earlier that killed at least eight civilians near a mosque in Wardak province.

Ghani said he was grieved by the loss of civilian lives during an operation against the Taliban on Friday in Sayed Abad district in Wardak.

He said he has ordered “related government officials to provide treatment for the injured and necessary assistance for families of victims.”

“A high-ranking government delegation headed by MoD (ministry of defense) has been tasked to thoroughly look into the incident and report back to the president,” his office said in a statement.

“The president offers his deep condolences to the families of the victims and wishes speedy recovery for the injured,” read the statement.

Local officials said on Friday army mortar bombs fell near a mosque, killing eight civilians and wounding two others. (Tolonews)