<span style="color: #222222;">At least 30 civilians were killed along with 16 Taliban fighters as Afghan government forces battled insurgents in southern Helmand province of Afghanistan overnight.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Head of the provincial council, Attahullah Afghan said, most of the casualties incurred in an airstrike that hit a house last night during military operations in the province.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Governor's office said, an investigation was underway to determine the number of civilian casualties. It said, the militants had stockpiled ammunition in the area of the operation, which could have caused civilian casualties. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Meanwhile, NATO said, it is investigating the reports of civilian casualties in air strike. It said, air support was requested by security forces on the ground as the militants deployed heavy weapons and retreated into a nearby compound. </span><br />''