US defence secretary in Afghanistan

US defence secretary Leon Panetta arrived in Afghanistan today on an unscheduled visit. His visit takes place just days after a US soldier shot dead 16 Afghan villagers and injured five others in the southern province of Kandhar on Sunday. During his two day visit US Defence Secretary is likely to meet with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, the US commanders and troops in Afghanistan and Afghan government officials. His trip also assumes significance as there is escalating anti-American anger over the burning of the copies of Holy Quran and killing of 16 innocent civilians. Mr Leon Penetta has said the recent shooting incident would not affect the US and Nato strategy of a gradual withdrawal of troops by the end of 2014. Investigation is on in the US soldier’s shooting spree in Balandi and Alkozai villages of Panjawai district. The suspected soldier is being detained in Kandahar and the five wounded villagers are undergoing treatment at a military hospital.

At least one Afghan security officer was killed in an motorcycle bomb blast in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar. The blast occurred as an official Afghan delegation was investigating the killing of 16 civilians. No member of the delegation was wounded or killed. Yesterday, an Afghan government delegation attending a memorial service for U.S. soldier's victims was also attacked killing one policeman and injuring another. Three attackers were also killed in the incident.