White House officials said Obama was briefed on the tragic incident in Kandahar that killed 16 Afghan civilians, which included nine children and three women.
Deeply saddened by the killing of 16 Afghan civilians, mostly women and children by a US soldier in Kandahar, President Barack Obama today described the incident as "tragic and shocking", which does not represent American values.
"This incident is tragic and shocking, and does not represent the exceptional character of our military and the respect that the United States has for the people of Afghanistan," Obama said in a statement.
White House officials said Obama was briefed on the tragic incident in Kandahar that killed 16 Afghan civilians, which included nine children and three women.
"I am deeply saddened by the reported killing and wounding of Afghan civilians. I offer my condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives, and to the people of Afghanistan, who have endured too much violence and suffering," Obama said.
"I fully support Secretary Panetta's and General Allen's commitment to get the facts as quickly as possible and to hold accountable anyone responsible," he said.
A White House official said the US is monitoring the situation closely.
Meanwhile, US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta called Afghan President Hamid Karzai, to express condolence over killing of 16 civilians in Kandahar and pledged to bring to justice those responsible for it.
"A suspect is in custody, and I gave President Karzai my assurances that we will bring those responsible to justice. We will spare no effort in getting the facts as quickly as possible, and we will hold any perpetrator who is responsible for this violence fully accountable under the law," Panetta said in a statement. A full investigation is already under way, he added.
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