JALALABAD, Afghanistan (AP) — Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, is facing serious charges for the shooting of two U.S. National Guard members last week, including charges of first-degree murder. During the incident, Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, lost her life, while Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, sustained critical injuries.
Acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi stated that Lakanwal, who has pleaded not guilty to the charges, was trained by American forces. He made it clear in a meeting with community elders that the actions of this one individual should not be accepted as a reflection of the Afghan people as a whole.
“This is an individual incident and the person who committed this act was trained by the Americans,” Muttaqi remarked, insisting the issue should not tarnish the reputation of Afghanistan.
Currently, Lakanwal is recuperating in a hospital after being injured during the shooting and is due to appear remotely in court. The Taliban's remarks come as the U.S. government enacts stricter immigration policies, pausing asylum applications and increasing vetting processes in response to the shooting incident.
Having worked in Afghan military operations supported by the CIA, Lakanwal was evacuated to the United States in 2021 during Operation Allies Welcome, which aimed to resettle Afghan allies amidst the Taliban's unexpected takeover. Meanwhile, Taliban officials continue to highlight a long-standing grievance regarding the actions of specialized units that they allege have resulted in numerous incidents of violence in Afghanistan.
In light of ongoing investigations, the implications of this tragic shooting are resonating throughout diplomatic channels both in Afghanistan and the U.S., leading to serious discussions about the future of Afghan civilians who have engaged with U.S. forces.
