A US soldier in Afghanistan has killed at least 16 civilians and wounded five after entering their homes in Kandahar province, senior local officials say.
He left his military base in the early hours of the morning and opened fire in at least two homes; women and children were among the dead.
Nato said it was investigating the "deeply regrettable incident".
Anti-US sentiment is already high in Afghanistan after US soldiers burnt copies of the Koran last month.
US officials have apologised repeatedly for the incident at a Nato base in Kabul, but they failed to quell a series of protests and attacks that killed at least 30 people and six US troops.
Local people have reportedly gathered near the base in Panjwai district to protest about Sunday's killings, and the US embassy is advising against travel to the area.
Lt Gen Adrian Bradshaw, deputy commander of Nato-led forces, said he was unable to "explain the motivation behind such callous acts", adding that "our thoughts and prayers are with those caught in this tragedy".
Colors
7 years ago
This story makes me wonder. Like, did he do it because he went off the rails? Did he do it because he thought he'd just be a "total badass" and kill a bunch of "enemy?" Did he watch his friends get killed from those homes and wanted to extract revenge? I really want to know what was going through his head that he thought unleashing lead like that would be the solution.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I HATE the Gandhi quote about an eye for an eye making the whole world blind, but damn, sometimes it's true.
Reading the articles being put out there now, are saying that there was more than one. Then there are those who are linking his diagnosis of PTS, and being from JBLM. Certainly makes you wonder how those doing the writing are trying to make a point of something. Not accounting for the media from all over the world who are now decrying that the good ol USA mission in A'stan is FUBAR.
ReplyDeleteSure makes head meeting desk an every day occurrence. Hope it doesn't impact your world so much.