A U.S. military investigation into an August airstrike in western Afghanistan has concluded that more civilians were killed than previously acknowledged, according to a New York Times story published Wednesday.

The story said the investigation — which was ordered by Gen. David D. McKiernan last month after disagreement over what occurred during the raid — found that more than 30 civilians were killed.

The U.S. military has previously said that only five to seven civilians were killed in the Aug. 22 raid on the village of Azizabad. Afghan and United Nations officials have said 90 people were killed.

The raid, and other incidents in which civilians have been killed, has been a source of tension between the Afghan government and international troops fighting Taliban and other militants.

Military officials in Afghanistan referred questions about the Times report and the status investigation to U.S. Central Command.

A spokesman there, Rear Adm. Greg Smith, said Wednesday that "the investigation has yet to be formally completed" and that there would be no comment on the report.

According to the Times, the investigation was headed by U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Michael W. Callan.

It was ordered by McKiernan on Sept. 7 after "emerging evidence" was reported.

That evidence appears in part to include cell phone photos and videos that show freshly dug graves.

The findings would be contrary to earlier American investigations.

The Times said that Callan, who traveled to the area days after the raid and the initial investigation, found the original investigators were unable to discern the extent of the civilian deaths.

The general was able to interview villagers, a level of access previous investigators were unable to attain.

The Times based its account on interviews with two U.S. military officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the report has not yet been made public.

Afghan officials have not been briefed on the investigation, the Times said.