A PLATOON of US marine special forces went on a shooting spree in Afghanistan last month, killing 12 civilians including a four-year-old girl and a one-year-old boy, according to a report by an Afghan human rights commission.

The convoy of six Humvees responded to a suicide bomber’s roadside ambush in Nangarhar province by shooting at passers-by on a 10-mile stretch of road near Jalalabad. In addition to the 12 dead, 35 were wounded. One marine was injured by shrapnel.

The report, which is based on dozens of witness accounts, is a fresh blow to the reputation of US forces overseas, portraying the marines as trigger-happy and vindictive. The day after the incident, hundreds of Afghans joined anti-US demonstrations.

Akhtyar Gul, a local reporter who witnessed the shooting, said he had seen American troops spraying bullets in every direction. “There was nobody on the road to fire at the Americans,” he said.

Another witness told investigators his car had been stopped about 45 yards from the convoy. “They opened fire on my car and shot more than 240 bullets,” he said. “I jumped out of the car and was injured, but my father, friend and my nephew were killed in the car.” According to one account, a woman was gunned down in front of her house The report, which US officials call “troubling”, alleges other American troops cleaned up evidence of the shootings.

Shortly after the incident the marine platoon was withdrawn from the area.

Adam Smith, chairman of the congressional subcommittee that oversees special forces, said the accounts contained “more than sufficient evidence of wrongdoing” by the troops.

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