(CNN) Kabul — The Afghan Taliban described U.S. forces as “sick-minded American savages,” and said in a website statement that the group would mete out punishment for the “barbaric actions.”
U.S. officials have expressed shock and sadness over the attack. Afghan leaders have angrily condemned it. President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan called it an “unforgivable” crime, noting that nine of the dead were children.