Afghanistan: U.S. Soldier killed 17 civilians

Afghanistan, March 11, 2012

A U.S. soldier killed 17 people in a confusing episode that is currently under investigation, reported NATO military source.

The incident occurred on Sunday morning, around Zangabad military base, which was previously under Canadian control but recently moved to the United States.

The man simply walked away from the military base and opened fire at close range, for no apparent reason.

The NATO spokesman, Captain Justin Brockhoff, described the incident as shocking. “Right now we can not speculate on the reasons for the soldier,” he added.

The situation is tense in Afghanistan following the discovery of some books of the Koran burned at a military base. That has led to numerous protests in the country and some attacks on American officials.