Children die in Afghan bombing

The coalition says it had "credible intelligence" that fighters from the Al Qaeda network were sheltering at the complex in the eastern province of Paktika, which included a mosque and a religious school.

It says its forces "confirmed the presence of nefarious activity" at the site before getting approval to attack.

"Early reporting has that seven children at the madrassa died as a result of the strike," the coalition said in a statement

Afghan children start going to madrassas, where they have a religious-based education, when they are between six and seven years old.

The coalition says residents of the compound in the Zarghun Shah district, about 180 kilometres south of Kabul, reported that Al Qaeda fighters had been present all day.

"This is another example of Al Qaeda using the protective status of a mosque, as well as innocent civilians, to shield themselves," coalition spokesman Major Chris Belcher said.

The coalition, which led the invasion that toppled the Taliban government in late 2001, says it also arrested two men.

Civilian casualties are a sensitive issue in Afghanistan. Dozens are said to have been killed in military action this year and many more have been killed in insurgent attacks. © 2007 Australian Broadcasting Corporation