Afghanistan army raid kills at least 35 during wedding party

The raid had targeted a militant hideout that was being used as a camp by the Taliban, the gov't said

At least 35 people were killed and another 17 wounded by Afghan security forces during a wedding party held in the south of the country, officials told Reuters on Monday. 

The raid had targeted a militant hideout that was being used as a camp by the Taliban to train suicide bombers, according to local reports. 

A wedding venue had been located nearby and had come under fire during Sunday evening's attack.  

“Thirty-five civilians were killed and 13 are injured. These people were attending a wedding party near to the attack site in the Khaksar area of Musa Qala district,” a member of the Helmand provincial council said. 

Afghanistan's defense ministry believed the site had been had also been used by foreign nationals working hardline Islamist militants.

“As a result of a joint operation in Musa Qala district of Helmand, 22 Taliban members were killed and 14 others arrested,” the ministry said in a statement. 

 At least five Pakistanis and one Bangladeshi national were also arrested in the operation.

The ministry said it will investigate the reports of civilian casualties.