Australia dismisses Taleban claims of civilian killings

Australia's Foreign Affairs Minister, Alexander Downer, has dismissed Taleban allegations of Australian troops killing civilians during recent clashes.

Mr Downer said Australian troops make every effort to avoid civilian casualties.

"I don't think any of us would take terrorists like the Taleban's allegations too seriously," he said.

"I think the Australian soldiers have operated very efficiently and very effectively and obviously they in their operations do everything they can to try to ensure there aren't any civilian casualties."

Radio Australia's correspondent in Kabul, Peter Lloyd, reported the accusation was levelled by Mullah Mohammad, a Taleban commander in the southern province of Oruzgan, during an interview recorded by an Afghan reporter on behalf of the ABC.

The commander claimed to have up to 6,000 men ready to fight Australian troops in Oruzgan province alone.

He accused the SAS and Australian commandoes of killing innocent civilians during recent fighting in the Chora district, not far from Camp Holland, where the Australian troops will be based for the next two years.

Unconfirmed reports previously stated that the Australians killed more than 100 insurgents during heavy fighting.

Eleven Australian soldiers were injured during the clashes, described as pitched battles by the defence force.

During the interview, Mullah Mohammad said 'a lot of civilian villagers' were killed but very few Taleban fighters.

- RADIO AUSTRALIA