On April 2, 2018, at approximately 12:30 PM, Afghan Air Force helicopters conducted aerial operations in Dasht-e-Archi district, firing multiple rockets and heavy machine guns during an open-air 'dastar bandi' religious ceremony taking place next to a madrassa where hundreds of men and boys had gathered. According to the government, the airstrikes targeted senior Taliban leaders present in the area, including members of the Quetta Shura and Taliban 'Red Unit,' who had allegedly assembled to launch an operation against Kunduz City. UNAMA released a Special Report on this incident in May 2018 and verified 95 civilian casualties—30 killed and 65 injured—with 79 of the victims being children.