US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta: 'War is hell'

Militants in Afghanistan have launched an attack on a government delegation visiting the site where a US soldier killed 16 civilians.

Two of Afghan President Hamid Karzai's brothers and several top security officials were in the delegation in Panjwai in Kandahar province.

The US soldier said to have carried out Sunday's attacks is under arrest and is being held at an undisclosed location.

Speaking to reporters, US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta said that ''war is hell,' and that US forces would be challenged in any mission.