The search for the two missing U.S soldiers in Afghanistan turned into a tragedy as eight Afghan soldiers lost their lives due to an alleged NATO airstrike gone horribly wrong. The incident also wounded more than 20 Afghan and U.S troops. The two missing American soldiers from the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division and also a part of NATO’s (ISAF), have been missing for more than two days, ever since they were sent to retrieve air supplies that had fallen into a river.

The joint search and rescue team deployed to locate the missing men came under intensive fire from the insurgents and the firefight continues for hours. The battle claimed the lives of four Afghan soldiers, three local policemen and an interpreter, while wounding five U.S. and fifteen Afghan soldiers. Another civilian interpreter was also wounded during the firefight. As stated by the Defense Ministry of Afghanistan, a NATO airstrike was called in from a joint operations base in the Badghis province and unfortunately. It is still unclear as to how the mishap happened, but the bombs landed on the U.S and Afghan troops, killing eight people.

As for the missing paratroopers, the search is still very much on, inspite of the fact that, the Chief of Police for the Western province, Gen. Ikram Uddin Yawar had earlier that, the two soldiers might have been swept away by the strong currents of the river.

Speaking on the alleged NATO airstrike indent, NATO spokeswoman, U.S. Navy Capt. Jane Campbell said,

“We are saddened by the loss of life and injuries sustained during this very important mission.”

Via Associated Press.