By FISNIK ABRASHI, Associated Press Writer
KABUL – The U.S. military said Wednesday at least 20 civilians and 60 insurgents may have died in a disputed U.S.-Taliban clash earlier this month, refuting the Afghan government's assertion that 140 civilians were killed.

In Kabul, meanwhile, a U.S. service member was killed in a roadside bomb attack, the military said.

Preliminary findings could not conclusively determine the number of people killed during the May 4-5 battle in Bala Buluk district of western Farah province, the U.S. military said in a statement.

The clash has soured already tense relations between the U.S. military and the Afghan government. In an attempt to soothe these relations, America's top envoy in Afghanistan joined President Hamid Karzai on Tuesday in extending their condolences to the families of the victims near the site of the battle.

The U.S. military statement said its aircraft destroyed several rural buildings where insurgents were regrouping after the fight, in which some 300 militants had participated.

Col. Greg Julian, the chief U.S. military spokesman, said eight buildings were targeted, and 13 missiles were fired from U.S. military aircraft during the battle.

"The investigation team estimates that 60-65 Taliban extremists were killed in these engagements, while at least 20-30 civilians may have been killed during the fighting," the statement said.

"A review of the physical evidence is inconclusive in determining the exact number of civilian and insurgent casualties," it said.

Karzai has long pleaded with the U.S. to minimize civilian deaths during its military operations and not use airstrikes in villages. He says civilian deaths at the hands of foreign troops erode support for the fight against the Taliban, who have made a comeback after they were ousted in the U.S.-led invasion in 2001.

On Tuesday, Karzai urged America to distinguish between villagers and militants.

"All those people who wear a turban and have local clothes are not Taliban," Karzai told the gathering. U.S. troops "should cut down bombardment on them," he said.

Afghans blame U.S. airstrikes for the deaths and destruction in two villages in Bala Buluk, but it is unclear exactly how many people died there and under what circumstances.

The U.S. military has continuously disputed the government's toll of civilians killed in the bombing raids, saying the Taliban held villagers hostage and fought from private homes.

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