Afghanistan orders U.S. attack probe

KABUL, Afghanistan (CNN) - Afghan President Hamid Karzai has ordered an inquiry into allegations that a U.S. military strike targeting militants killed 15 civilians instead.

The aerial assault occurred Friday in eastern Afghanistan, on the border of Kunar and Nuristan provinces.

While local officials allege civilian lives were lost, Karzai's office was told the attack killed 24 militants, spokesman Siamak Hirawi said Sunday.

U.S. military Capt. Christian Patterson confirmed an attack on insurgents in the area. He would not say how many insurgents were killed, but said, "We don't have any reports that any civilians were killed in that incident."

The investigation is meant to sort through the conflicting reports, Hirawi said.