Afghan officials attacked over US killings

Afghan officials attacked over US killings

One Afghan soldier killed by gunmen in attack on service for 16 villagers shot dead by US soldier in Kandahar province.

Gunmen have attacked an Afghan government delegation at a service in southern Kandahar province for 16 villagers shot dead in a killing spree by a US soldier.

At least one Afghan soldier was killed as the delegation, which included two brothers of Afghan President Hamid Karzai, came under fire, Abdul Razaq, the police chief for Kandahar province, told the AFP news agency.

"There was an armed attack on them from a distance and the firing continued for about 10 minutes," said a local reporter at the scene in Panjwayi district.

"Bullets were coming like rain on us," another witness told AFP.

The attack came as hundreds of students took to the streets of the eastern city of Jalalabad, as anger over Sunday's killings by the unnamed US soldier prompted more anti-US protests.  

About 400 university students shouted "Death to America -- Death to Obama", burning the US president in effigy and blocking the main highway to Kabul before dispersing after about two hours.

Abdul Rahim Ayoubi, a member of the Afghan parliament from Kandahar, 

"And once they decide, there will be no army, no force that can stop them," Ayoubi said. 

Taliban threats

The Afghan Taliban threatened on Tuesday to behead US troops in revenge for the killings by the US soldier.

"The Islamic Emirate once again warns the American animals that the mujahideen will avenge them, and with the help of God will kill and behead your sadistic murderous soldiers," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in an emailed statement.

The US embassy in Kabul has warned its citizens to be on their guard, mindful of a wave of deadly protests last month over the burning of Qurans at a US military base.

In Washington, Obama warned the US public against a hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan, after a weekend poll said most Americans believe the war is not worth the cost and want an early withdrawal.

The United States and its NATO allies are looking to withdraw their 130,000-odd combat troops from Afghanistan by 2014.

Leon Panetta, the US defence secretary, told reporters that the shooting suspect would be brought to justice under the US military legal code, and could face the death penalty if convicted.

Asked if the suspect could be sentenced to death, Panetta said: "My understanding is in these instances that could be a consideration."