Kabul, May 17 (RHC)-- Afghan police say at least 11 people have been killed in an air raid conducted by U.S.-led forces in eastern Ghazni Province. Local officials claimed the victims were all Taliban members who came under attack somewhere near the Andar district. Taliban militants have yet to comment on the incident.

The United States regularly uses drones for airstrikes and spying missions in Afghanistan among other places. Washington claims that the airstrikes target militants, but local sources say civilians have been the main victims of the attacks over the years.

The air raids were initiated under former U.S. President George W. Bush, but have escalated under President Barack Obama, who has defended the use of the controversial drones as “self-defense.”

The United Nations says the US assassination drone attacks are “targeted killings” that flout international law. The UN and several human rights organizations have already identified the U.S. as the world's number one user of "targeted killing," largely due to its drone attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan.