UN mission voices shock at killing of Afghan civilians

The United Nations has voiced shock and sadness at the loss of civilian lives in the southern Afghan province of Kandahar over the weekend and called for a full investigation to establish the facts behind the tragic incident.

According to media reports, a United States soldier stationed in Kandahar province left his base in the early hours of Sunday morning and went to several houses and killed 16 people, mostly women and children.

“We express our deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wish a speedy recovery to those who have been injured,” the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in a statement issued yesterday.

While the US Government has not released the soldier’s identity pending further investigation, UNAMA called for the investigation to “rapidly establish the facts” surrounding the incident and bring those responsible to justice.