Nine children among sixteen Afghan civilians shot dead by American soldier in house-to-house shooting spree

Nine children and three women were among 16 innocent Afghan civilians shot and killed by a U.S. soldier who opened fire after suffering a mental breakdown early this morning.

The soldier entered his victims’ homes in the middle of the night, Minister of Border and Tribal Affairs Asadullah Khalid said today. After entering three homes and killing his victims, the U.S service member is said to have surrendered to U.S. military authorities.

Afghan president Hamid Karzai condemned the attacks as 'an assassination' and demanded an explanation from the U.S.

The attack could deepen strife between the two countries, as it comes weeks after NATO soldiers burned copies of the Koran, the Muslim holy book, sparking a violent protest that left some 30 people dead. The villages are in close proximity to a U.S. base.

WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT

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