Kabul, March 11, IRNA -- Afghan president Hamid Karzai on Sunday demanded an explanation from the US after an American soldier shot dead at least 16 civilians, including nine children, in a killing spree Karzai slammed as an 'assassination' that 'cannot be forgiven'.
The victims, were killed when the shooter entered their homes in two villages in southern Kandahar overnight, included women, elderly men, and a child aged just two.
'This is an assassination, an intentional killing of innocent civilians and cannot be forgiven,' he said in a statement.
President Karzai said he has repeatedly demanded the US stop killing Afghan civilians.
The shooter has been taken into custody on a NATO base.
IRNA reporter in Kabul said that the incident adds new tensions to a relationship already severely strained over Americans burning Muslim holy book at Bagram air base.
Although US officials apologised and said the burning was an accident, the incident sparked violent protests and attacks.
Six American soldiers have been killed in attacks by their Afghan colleagues since the Holy Quran burnings came into light.
