U.S. investigates deadly commando raid

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. Central Command has opened a high-level investigation into whether U.S. forces killed friendly Afghans during a January 24 raid on a suspected terrorist compound north of Kandahar, CNN has learned.

Gen. Tommy Franks, the head of Central Command, launched the investigation based on concerns expressed by Afghan officials after the raid, "feedback from the Special Forces conducting the raid" and "other intelligence," according to a senior military official.

The raid left 15 Afghans dead and 27 in U.S. custody. The United States is interrogating the captives.

Afghans have said since the raid, that some of those killed or captured were actually supporters of the new interim government. They contend that the United States might have been led to the site by false information spread by other Afghan factions.

At first, the United States said the raid was based entirely on U.S. intelligence, but military sources said that is now being re-examined.

According to the official, Franks told the interim Afghan leader Hamid Karzai that the U.S. military launched the investigation because it now questioned whether the action went as intended.

The investigation is being conducted by a "flag-rank" officer, meaning a general or admiral. Central Command would not disclose the identity.