This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/03/world/asia/afghanistan-us-soldier-killed.html

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
U.S. Soldier Killed in Insider Attack in Afghanistan U.S. Soldier Killed in Insider Attack in Afghanistan
(about 13 hours 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. Brent Taylor, the mayor of North Ogden, Utah, was killed, according to Lt. Gov. Spencer J. Cox, who expressed shock in announcements on Twitter and Facebook.
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. “I hate this. I’m struggling for words,” Mr. Cox wrote. “I love Mayor Taylor, his amazing wife Jennie and his 7 sweet kids. Utah weeps for them today.”
“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. North Ogden’s website said of Mr. Taylor, who had taken leave from his job to serve in the Utah National Guard, “He was the best of men with the ability to see potential and possibility in everything around him.”
“The attacker was immediately killed by other Afghan forces.” It added, “He was patriotic to the core and a shining example of what an American politician should be.”
The attack was the second of its kind 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.
Of Saturday’s attack, Debra Richardson, a NATO spokeswoman, said in Kabul, the capital, that the gunman appeared to have been a member of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces.
“The attacker was immediately killed by other Afghan forces,” she said.
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.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 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.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.