

REPORTING FROM ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN, AND KABUL, AFGHANISTAN -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Thursday condemned a video that appeared to show four U.S. Marines urinating on the dead bodies of three Taliban fighters and urged “the most severe punishment for anyone found guilty in this crime.”

A statement issued by Karzai’s office said the president’s administration was “deeply disturbed” by the video. “This act by American soldiers is simply inhuman and condemnable in the strongest possible terms.”

The video was posted on YouTube and on TMZ, a celebrity gossip site. In it, four men in Marine combat gear unzip their pants and urinate on the bodies. One of the men says, “Have a great day, buddy.”

U.S. officials have launched an investigation into the matter. American-led coalition forces in Afghanistan said in a statement that the soldiers in the video are probably no longer serving in the South Asian nation.

The coalition statement adds that “this behavior dishonors the sacrifices and core values of every service member representing the 50 nations of the coalition. ... Any individuals with confirmed involvement will be held fully accountable.”