Mr Khan, now Afghanistan's power-and-water minister, was deposed in 2004, partly due to an offensive by militants in Shindand district, around Azizabad.

ECONOMIST: Another blow to the war to win hearts and minds

An American airstrike on another village in Shindand almost a year ago led to a review of both American and NATO rules of engagement.

ECONOMIST: Another blow to the war to win hearts and minds

Mr White, who was hired to help guard Shindand airbase in the western Afghan province of Herat, was killed in 2007 by a rival Afghan security contractor.

BBC: Afghan security contractors 'fund Taliban'

But the coalition said the airstrike was called in by Afghan and coalition troops as they embarked on a raid to arrest a Taliban commander in Shindand.

CNN: Top U.S. commander wants review of Afghan civilian killings

The head of the official veterans' committee, Ruslan Aushev, said Sheikh Abdullah - real name Bakhretdin Khakimov - was tracked down in Shindand district after a year-long search.

BBC: Soviet war veteran found in Afghanistan after 33 years