16 dead after rampage by rogue US soldier: AFP

KABUL, Afghanistan - Agence France-Presse

In this Feb. 5, 2012 file photo, U.S. soldiers part of the NATO- led International Security Assistace Force (ISAF) are seen alert at the scene of a suicide attack in Kandahar, south of Kabul, Afghanistan. AP Photo

An AFP reporter counted 16 bodies in three Afghan houses after a rogue US soldier walked out of his base in southern Afghanistan and began shooting civilians earlıer today.

"I visited three houses and counted 16 bodies including those of children, women and elderly men," the reporter said.
 
NATO's International Security Assistance Force said it had arrested a soldier "in connection to an incident that resulted in Afghan casualties in Kandahar province", without giving a figure for the dead or wounded.

The toll could not be independently confirmed at first, but NATO's International Security Assistance Force said it has arrested a soldier "in connection to an incident that resulted in Afghan casualties in Kandahar province".
 
An elder from Najeeban village in Panjwayi district, Haji Samad, told AFP: "Eleven members of my family are dead. They are all dead." Haji Sayed Jan from from Alkozai village said: "My home was attacked and I lost four family members." A spokesman for the provincial governor said earlier that 10 to 16 people had been killed or injured.
 
"Today at around 3:00 am a US soldier walked off his base and started shooting at civilians. Ten to 16 people are killed and injured," said Ahmad Jawed Faysal.
 
This version of events -- but not the death toll -- was confirmed by a Western official.
 
"A soldier walks off the base in the early hours Sunday morning and starts shooting. He got back to the office and was detained," the official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
 
"This is a deeply regrettable incident and we extend our thoughts and concerns to the families involved," ISAF said.
 
"US Forces-Afghanistan (USFOR-A), in cooperation with Afghan authorities, will investigate this incident and release additional information as appropriate."