At least 16 civilians are dead and five others wounded in Afghanistan after a U.S. soldier went door-to-door on a shooting spree, the BBC reported.

Women and children are among those killed in the Afghan city of Kandahar after a U.S. soldier opened fire on at least two homes in the early morning hours. NATO is investigating and the U.S. embassy is advising against travel to the region.

Anti-American sentiment was already running high in the country following the burning of some Korans on a U.S. military base last month. Protests against Sunday's killings have formed around a Panjwai base.

The soldier has yet to be named, yet is thought to be a staff sergeant.