Members of Pakistan's Human Rights Network depict President

Obama with a noose around his neck at an anti-American rally in

Karachi called to denounce the burning of Qurans by U.S. troops

stationed in Afghanistan, Feb. 26.

The Frontier Post, Pakistan

Taliban Claim Afghan Killing Spree not Work of Lone U.S. Soldier

"So far, 45 dead, including women and children, have been retrieved by area residents. This is not the act of one individual. This was done by several foreign soldiers who entered people's homes without cause, martyring people in their sleep."

EDITORIAL

March 12, 2012

Pakistan - The Frontier Post - Home Page (English)

Out and out rage is expressed on the streets near Kabul, after reports emerged that a U.S. soldier had gone on a killing spree, killing at least 16 Afghan civilians. Now the Taliban dispute that account of events. PRESS TV, IRAN: Dr. Mohammed Daud Miraki, author and expert on Afghanistan, tells Iran's state-run Press TV that the Afghan people 'will defeat the U.S. and NATO occupiers,' Mar. 12, 00:06:26

KANDAHAR: Taliban spokesman Qari Muhammad Yousaf Ahmadi has been quoted as saying that 45 Afghan civilians were killed on Sunday by foreign forces in the Panjwai district of Kandahar Province. He said U.S. troops entered the homes of Palambi villagers in Zungabad district and gunned down their slumbering inhabitants.

One Muhamamd Wazir was among his 11 family members who were killed when foreign forces attacked his home. People were also killed in other homes. So far, 45 dead, including women and children, have been retrieved by area residents, Ahmadi said.

The Taliban spokesman said there were signs of burn marks on the corpses, suggesting that bullets were used in the raids. Rejecting reports that the civilians were killed by a single soldier, Ahmadi said: This is not the act of one individual. This was done by several foreign soldiers who entered people's homes without cause, martyring people in their sleep.

Calling the deed by foreign forces a violation of all human law, Ahmadi urged people to end their docility and join a national uprising against the foreigners.

Witnesses also said they saw a group of U.S. soldiers arrive at the village in Kandahars Panjwayi district enter homes and open fire at about 2am.

Earlier, an Afghan minister said that a lone U.S. soldier had killed up to 16 people when he burst into their homes in the middle of the night in villages near his base. Panjwayi district is about 35 km west of Kandahar City. The district is considered the spiritual home of the Taliban.

The Defense Minsitry in Kabul issued a statement saying, The defense minister is deeply shocked and saddened by the killings of 15 innocent civilians and the wounding of nine more at the hands of coalition forces.

Posted by WORLDMEETS.US

The incident comes just weeks after U.S. troops burned copies of the Holy Quran at a NATO base, triggering widespread anti-Western protests and bringing already-strained U.S.-Afghan ties to a new low.

The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said it had detained one of its soldiers, and that an investigation was under way. ISAF said the soldier reportedly went to more than one village near his base.

I cannot explain the motivation behind such callous acts, but they were in no way part of authorized ISAF military activity, ISAF Deputy Commander Lieutenant General Adrian Bradshaw said in a statement.

The Afghanistan Minister of Border and Tribal Affairs Asadullah Khalid, who is investigating the incident, said the soldier entered three homes, killing 11 people in the first.

SEE ALSO ON THIS:

Outlook Afghanistan: Dishonoring Quran Harms American Credibility

Kayhan, Iran: American Leaders Fear 'Rising Tide of Islam'

News, Switzerland: How Political Correctness Led to Pastor Jones

The Star, South Africa: South African Muslims Prevent a 'Bible Bonfire'

Die Tageszeitung, Germany: Let's Punish Pastor Jones By Looking Away

Folha, Brazil: Pastor Jones Takes Journalists for a Ride

Der Spiegel, Germany: Daughter of Terry Jones Asks Dad: 'Papa, Don't Do It'

Der Spiegel, Germany: Jones Condemned By His Ex-Church in Germany

Telegraph, U.K.: Can One Idiot Really 'Threaten World Peace'?

Telegraph, U.K.: 9/11 Quran Burning: What U.S Law Says

Daily Star, Lebanon: Quran Burning a Threat to America and the World

Rheinischer Merkur, Germany: Cordoba House: Let it Be a Triumph of Tolerance

ABC, Spain: Cordoba House: The 'Impossible Mosque'

ABC, Spain: The Mosque Near Ground Zero: A Case of Insensitivity

La Opinion de Zemora, Spain: Cordoba House and 'Hussein of Yankeeland'

Guardian Unlimited, U.K.: The Poison Behind the Ground Zero Mosque Furore

The Telegraph, U.K.: The Depressing Debacle of 'Ground Zero Mosque'

BBC News, U.K.: Mosque Dispute Exposes Obama on Two Sides

The Afghan Interior Ministry condemned the shootings, which are likely to intensify friction between Washington and Kabul, just as NATO is preparing to hand over all security responsibilities to the Afghans by the end of 2014.

Meanwhile in a press release, the U.S. Embassy expressed grief over the incident.

The United States extends its deepest condolences to the families of the victims of todays tragic shooting incident in Kandahar Province. We are saddened by this violent act against our Afghan friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and their entire community. U.S. Forces are providing the highest level of care for those injured. We are still attempting to ascertain the facts. The incident is under investigation and a United States service member has been detained.

We are committed to an enduring partnership with Afghanistan to obtain greater peace and security in the region, which is our common interest. We deplore any attack by a member of the U.S. Armed Forces against innocent civilians, and denounce all violence against civilians, the press release continued.

We assure the people of Afghanistan that the individual or individuals responsible for this act will be identified and brought to justice, the press release maintained.

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