Officials from an American Provincial Reconstruction Team are meeting with Afghan elders in an effort to repair strained relations caused by an incident in which civilians were killed in a suicide attack in Nangarhar province, officials said Thursday.

The meetings included the governor of the province, leaders of the Afghan National Security Forces, members of the Jalalabad Provincial Reconstruction Team and elders of the provincial shura, or council.

“The governor and shura members met with Afghan local nationals wounded during the terror attack. [Gov. Gul Agha] Sherzai offered prayers alongside the people he met with,” a U.S. military news release read.

“The national government, meanwhile, dispatched national security leaders to Nangarhar Province to investigate the attack and talk to locals.”

On March 4, a suicide bomber struck a U.S. convoy moving through a crowded marketplace. Between the bombing and the ensuing crossfire, officials have said, at least eight Afghan civilians were killed and some 30 others wounded.

One American servicemember was wounded in the incident.

Afghan witnesses said the civilians were hurt or killed when U.S. Marines fired indiscriminately after the incident.

American officials — while acknowledging civilian casualties occurred — have disputed that account and are investigating the incident.

“The governor, PRT leaders and ANSF expressed sympathy with those killed and injured during the attack and explained allied actions during the aftermath of the assault,” the military news release read.

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