He left his military base in the early hours of the morning and opened fire after entering local homes; women and children are said to be 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.
Investigation
The soldier, who has not been named, is said to have suffered a nervous breakdown.
According to a resident quoted by Associated Press, he opened fire in three separate houses in the village of Alkozai.
"I heard gunshots and then silence and then gunshots again," Abdul Baqi said.
Local tribal leaders said women and children were among the dead.
A delegation from the provincial governor's office has arrived in the village to determine what has happened, a spokesman said.
After carrying out the killings, the soldier reportedly handed himself over to the US military authorities.
The Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) said in a statement that US officials in Afghanistan would work with their Afghan counterparts to investigate what happened.
"This is a deeply regrettable incident and we extend our thoughts and concerns to the families involved," Isaf added.
Sediq Seddiqi, the spokesman for the Afghan interior ministry, told Al Jazeera the incident was under investigation. He could not confirm any reports of casualties.
Al Jazeera's Bernard Smith, reporting from Herat, said the soldier entered three houses near the base and opened fire on civilians
Meanwhile, in Kabul, Afghan President Hamid Karzai said his government still expects to sign a strategic partnership with the United States in the next couple of months.
In a televised speech, he said discussions would continue on the precise role the US will play in Afghanistan after Nato hands over security responsibility to Kabul at the end of 2014.
On Friday, Kabul and Washington reached a deal to transfer US-run prisons in the country to Afghan control.
from bbc and aljazeera
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ISAF releasse:
2012-03-S-010
For Immediate Release
Service member detained in Kandahar
KABUL, Afghanistan (Mar. 11) - A United States service member was detained today in connection to an incident that resulted in Afghan casualties in Kandahar province.
This is a deeply regrettable incident and we extend our thoughts and concerns to the families involved.
U.S. Forces-Afghanistan (USFOR-A), in cooperation with Afghan authorities, will investigate this incident and release additional information as appropriate.
Requests for information regarding Afghan casualties should be referred to the Ministry of Interior.
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ISAF Deputy Commander Statement on Civilian Casualties in Kandahar
2012-03-CA-005
KABUL, Afghanistan (Mar. 11, 2012) –
The Deputy Commander, International Security Assistance Force, Lt. Gen.
Adrian J. Bradshaw, released the following statement today:
“In
my role as in-theatre Commander of ISAF in General Allen’s temporary
absence on duty, I wish to convey my profound regrets and dismay at the
actions apparently taken by one coalition member in Kandahar province.
One of our soldiers is reported to have killed and injured a number of
civilians in villages adjacent to his base. I cannot explain the
motivation behind such callous acts, but they were in no way part of
authorized ISAF military activity. An investigation is already underway
and every effort will be made to establish the facts and hold anyone
responsible to account. In the meantime, our thoughts and prayers are
with those caught in this tragedy. I wish once again, on behalf of
General Allen and all members of ISAF, to convey our deep regrets and
sorrow at this appalling incident.
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ISAF Commander Statement on Civilian Casualties in Kandahar
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from DOD
ISAF Commander Statement on Civilian Casualties in Kandahar
| NEWS RELEASE 2012-03-CA-006 WASHINGTON (March 11, 2012) - The Commander of the International Security Assistance Force, Gen. John R. Allen, released the following statement today: "I was shocked and saddened to hear of the shooting incident today in Kandahar Province. I offer my profound regret and deepest condolences to the victims and their families. I pledge to all the noble people of Afghanistan my commitment to a rapid and thorough investigation. In the meantime, we will continue to offer medical care for those who were injured in this shooting. We will maintain custody of the U.S. service member alleged to have perpetrated this attack. And we will cooperate fully with local Afghan authorities as we ascertain all the facts. This deeply appalling incident in no way represents the values of ISAF and coalition troops or the abiding respect we feel for the Afghan people. Nor does it impugn or diminish the spirit of cooperation and partnership we have worked so hard to foster with the Afghan National Security Forces. The men and women of ISAF join me in my sadness and they join me in extending their condolences. I am absolutely dedicated to making sure that anyone who is found to have committed wrong-doing is held fully accountable." |
|
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from DOD
| IMMEDIATE RELEASE | No. 170-12 March 11, 2012 |
Statement by Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta on the Tragic Incident in Kandahar Province
“Today I spoke to President Karzai to offer my deepest
condolences and profound regret for the tragic incident in Kandahar
province that resulted in the loss of life and injuries to innocent
Afghan civilians, including women and children.
“A full investigation is already underway. A suspect is in custody, and I gave President Karzai my assurances that we will bring those responsible to justice. We will spare no effort in getting the facts as quickly as possible, and we will hold any perpetrator who is responsible for this violence fully accountable under the law.
“I condemn such violence and am shocked and saddened that a U.S. service member is alleged to be involved, clearly acting outside his chain of command. I told President Karzai that the American people share the outrage felt by President Karzai and his fellow citizens. This tragic incident does not reflect the commitment of the U.S. military to protect the Afghan people and help build a strong and stable Afghanistan.
“As we mourn today with the Afghan people, we are steadfast in our resolve to work hand in hand with our Afghan partners to accomplish the missions and goals on which we have been working together for so long. This terrible incident does not reflect our shared values or the progress we have made together. As I told President Karzai, I am fully committed to ensuring that our cooperation continues. It is essential to forging a more peaceful future for the citizens of both our nations.”
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“A full investigation is already underway. A suspect is in custody, and I gave President Karzai my assurances that we will bring those responsible to justice. We will spare no effort in getting the facts as quickly as possible, and we will hold any perpetrator who is responsible for this violence fully accountable under the law.
“I condemn such violence and am shocked and saddened that a U.S. service member is alleged to be involved, clearly acting outside his chain of command. I told President Karzai that the American people share the outrage felt by President Karzai and his fellow citizens. This tragic incident does not reflect the commitment of the U.S. military to protect the Afghan people and help build a strong and stable Afghanistan.
“As we mourn today with the Afghan people, we are steadfast in our resolve to work hand in hand with our Afghan partners to accomplish the missions and goals on which we have been working together for so long. This terrible incident does not reflect our shared values or the progress we have made together. As I told President Karzai, I am fully committed to ensuring that our cooperation continues. It is essential to forging a more peaceful future for the citizens of both our nations.”
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Washington Time
Kabul Time
London Time
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