Local officials say air strikes were called in during hours of fierce fighting in the village of Kumbarak late Thursday.
The officials say several houses were destroyed, and that many civilians were among the dead, including women and children.
The Afghan Interior Ministry says it is checking the claims.
On Thursday, the U.S. military said coalition forces killed more than 50 insurgents elsewhere in Helmand province, near Musa Qala, during a 12-hour battle that included air strikes.
A U.S. military statement says there were no casualties among either coalition troops or civilians.
However, several villagers told reporters they believe 16 civilians died in the air raid.
In other violence Thursday, one British soldier was killed during a separate clash between NATO troops and militants in southern Afghanistan.
Violence has surged in Afghanistan during the past 18 months, the bloodiest period since U.S.-led troops overthrew the Taleban in 2001. - VOA News
