Germany's biggest-selling newspaper "Bild Zeitung" has printed pictures of German troops in Afghanistan posing with a human skull, claiming they show German peacekeepers near the capital of Kabul in early 2003.
Germany's defense minister expressed horror on Wednesday and pledged that any soldiers found to be involved in the pictures would be punished.
 "It is completely clear and unambiguous that such behavior by German soldiers can in no way be tolerated. The incident shown in the photos is diametrically opposed to the values and ways of behavior troops are taught in training."
The minister said they are conducting an investigation at full steam and that if the incident is confirmed those involved will face disciplinary or even criminal measures.
In the pictures, the uniformed men can apparently be seen holding up a skull as they pose with it on a jeep.
The newspaper said it was unclear where the skull came from.
The military’s chief of staff said two suspects had been identified and were being questioned.
Germany currently has about 2,800 troops in NATO's International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.
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Director: Liu Chi