In Afghanistan, hundreds of protesters blocked roads and burned tires in eastern province of Nangarhar to protest against the alleged killing of at least nine civilians by NATO forces. <br/><br/>More than 500 people poured into the streets in the Surkh Rod district to protest the raid by international forces which the latter claimed was an anti-insurgent operation. <br/><br/>Mohammed Arish, a government administrator in Surkh Rod said a father and his four sons and four members of another family were killed in the NATO operation. He said they were farmers and are innocent.<br/><br/>However, a NATO spokesman said the raid involving allied and Afghan forces targeted militants which killed eight including a Taliban sub-commander. <br/><br/>Two other people were captured during the operation, and weapons and communications gear were confiscated at the targeted compound. Civilian casualties is a major bone of contention between Afghan government and its western allies. <br/><br/>The issue was raised during recent visit of Afghan President to US where the US President promised that avoiding civilian casualties is his responsibility too.