NATO boss says Afghan deaths unfortunate

OTTAWA, June 22 (Reuters) The deaths of 25 civilians in a NATO air strike in Afghanistan was unfortunate and the Alliance is examining its procedures, NATO's secretary-general said today.

Jaap de Hoop Scheffer also blamed Taliban fighters, saying they used civilians as human shields.

Police officials said an air strike yesterday night by foreign-led forces killed 25 civilians, including 12 members of a family, in southern Afghanistan. NATO said it carried out the air strike after Alliance forces came under attack by insurgents.

''This happens and it's always dramatic ... this happens, unfortunately,'' de Hoop Scheffer told a televised news conference in Quebec City.

''We continually have to look at our procedures and that is what's happening. We continually have to look at rules of engagement.'' More than 230 civilians have been killed this year alone during operations by foreign and Afghan forces, according to an umbrella body for aid groups in Afghanistan.

REUTERS GL RN2151