Kabul Afghanistan

A night time raid in eastern Afghanistan by U.S. and Afghan troops sparked a gun battle that killed three people, including two children and the military said Thursday it is investigating the deaths. Civilian casualties have incited resentment and demonstrations against U.S.and Nato forces, though officials blame militants who use civilian homes as cover during clashes. President Hamid Larzai has pleaded with Western forces to do all they can to prevent such deaths.The latest civilian casualties came as U.S. and Afghan troops were raiding a compound suspected of harbring militants belonging to a suicide bombing network. They were fired upon as they approached late Wednesday in Bati Kot district in Nangarhar province, said Maj. Chris Belcher, a spokesman for the U.S.- Led coalition.