Kabul - The NATO alliance in Afghanistan admitted on Thursday that a helicopter dropped arms supplies in the wrong spot and called the act "human error."

Earlier this week, Zelmai Mujadidi, head of the Internal Security Commission of the Afghan parliament, told the lower house that an international helicopter dropped arms to a Taliban commander in southern Zabul province. He claimed this was done on purpose.

The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), however, rejected the claim and said the ISAF remains dedicated to supporting the Afghan government in defeating the insurgents.

"On March 25, a private helicopter company was contracted on behalf of an ISAF unit to resupply an Afghan National Police (ANP) outpost located in a remote mountain area," the statement said.

"Unfortunately, due to a human error in transcribing the latitude and longitude of the location, the load was dropped in another remote area," it said.

The mistake was recognised when the helicopter crew was debriefed after returning to their base, the statement said, adding, "Coalition Forces sent aircraft for a visual reconnaissance, however, the missing cargo could not be found."

It said the cargo consisted of 7.62mm small arms ammunition, rocket-propelled grenades, and food and water, adding that it did not contain any guns.

Afghan media and members of the parliament have several times in the past claimed that the international forces support anti- government elements in order to prolong the war and thereby their own stay in the country. (dpa)