US troops injured and police chief killed after Afghan guards open fire during Kandahar security meeting
At least two hand grenade explosions and sporadic gunfire were reported by officials
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.One of Afghanistan's most powerful security officials has been killed after a bodyguard opened fire during a security meeting in the city of Kandahar. A number of US troops were also wounded.
The provincial governor's elite guard turned their guns on their own colleagues at the high-level security meeting.
General Scott Miller, the top US commander in Afghanistan who had been at the meeting with General Abdul Razeq only moments earlier, was uninjured in the attack, but the local commander of the NDS intelligence service was killed and the provincial governor was severely wounded.
Two American troops were wounded in the attack, which came ahead of parliamentary elections on Saturday
Officials said Razeq, General Miller and the other officials were walking towards a landing zone as the helicopter taking the US general's party back to Kabul approached to land when the gunman, who was waiting outside, opened fire on the group.
“Provincial officials including the governor, the police chief and other officials were accompanying the foreign guests to the aircraft when the gunshots happened,” said Said Jan Khakrezwal, the head of the provincial council told Reuters.
At least two hand grenade explosions and sporadic gunfire from around the compound were also reported by officials.
US Colonel Knut Peters, a spokesman for the Nato troops in Afghanistan, said the two Americans troops who were wounded have been medically evacuated.
Colonel Peters said initial reports indicate the original attacker is dead.
Mr Razeq was criticised by human rights groups but highly respected by US officers who saw him as one of Afghanistan's most effective leaders, largely responsible for keeping Kandahar province under control.
He had survived several attempts on his life over many years and narrowly escaped an attack last year in which five diplomats from the United Arab Emirates were killed in Kandahar.
“Provincial officials including the governor, the police chief and other officials were accompanying the foreign guests to the plane when the gunshots happened,” said Said Jan Khakrezwal, the head of the provincial council.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack. “The brutal police chief of Kandahar has been killed along several other officials,” a statement said.
Reuters contributed to this report
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments