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U.S. Soldier Killed in Insider Attack in Afghanistan | U.S. Soldier Killed in Insider Attack in Afghanistan |
(35 minutes later) | |
KABUL, Afghanistan — An American service member was killed and another wounded when an Afghan commando opened fire on them on Saturday in Kabul, Afghan and American officials said. | KABUL, Afghanistan — An American service member was killed and another wounded when an Afghan commando opened fire on them on Saturday in Kabul, Afghan and American officials said. |
It was the second such attack in less than two weeks. | It was the second such attack in less than two weeks. |
On Oct. 22, an Afghan commando opened fire on members of the American-led NATO coalition in the western province of Herat, killing one and wounding two. | On Oct. 22, an Afghan commando opened fire on members of the American-led NATO coalition in the western province of Herat, killing one and wounding two. |
“Initial reports indicate the attacker was a member of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces,” said Debra Richardson, a NATO spokeswoman, in Kabul, the capital. | “Initial reports indicate the attacker was a member of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces,” said Debra Richardson, a NATO spokeswoman, in Kabul, the capital. |
“The attacker was immediately killed by other Afghan forces.” | “The attacker was immediately killed by other Afghan forces.” |
The NATO statement did not release the identities or ranks of the service members, or the location of the attack. | The NATO statement did not release the identities or ranks of the service members, or the location of the attack. |
But United States officials suggested it had occurred at an American special operations forces hub in Kabul that is used as a staging base for missions around the capital and in neighboring provinces. | But United States officials suggested it had occurred at an American special operations forces hub in Kabul that is used as a staging base for missions around the capital and in neighboring provinces. |
So-called insider attacks have long been a problem for coalition forces in Afghanistan. At their peak in 2012, 61 coalition soldiers were killed by such attacks. | So-called insider attacks have long been a problem for coalition forces in Afghanistan. At their peak in 2012, 61 coalition soldiers were killed by such attacks. |
The latest attack came as the American military has retreated to a more cautious position following a widespread rumor about the killing of the powerful police chief of Kandahar Province, which has created mistrust with Afghan allies. | The latest attack came as the American military has retreated to a more cautious position following a widespread rumor about the killing of the powerful police chief of Kandahar Province, which has created mistrust with Afghan allies. |
On Oct. 18, the chief, Gen. Abdul Raziq, was shot dead by a teenage Taliban infiltrator as he was walking out of a meeting with the top American and NATO commander, Gen. Austin S. Miller. | On Oct. 18, the chief, Gen. Abdul Raziq, was shot dead by a teenage Taliban infiltrator as he was walking out of a meeting with the top American and NATO commander, Gen. Austin S. Miller. |
General Miller, who was standing steps away, survived a second round fired in the direction of the other dignitaries. | General Miller, who was standing steps away, survived a second round fired in the direction of the other dignitaries. |
As detailed in a New York Times report, a guard at the scene, who United States officials said they believed could have been a second infiltrator, shouted that the Americans had shot the Afghan general. | As detailed in a New York Times report, a guard at the scene, who United States officials said they believed could have been a second infiltrator, shouted that the Americans had shot the Afghan general. |
It led to tensions with Afghan forces that cast a cloud over the relationship. Afghan and American forces clashed as the American convoy was leaving the compound, with United States forces shooting one Afghan guard dead. | |
The American military has struggled to contain the disinformation, and senior Afghan officials have tried to quash the rumor. | |
The concern peaked after an Afghan commando opened fire on coalition forces on Oct. 22 in the west of the country following what Afghan officials had been was a verbal clash over the killing of General Raziq. |