Breaking news out of Afghanistan where we’re seeing reports that an insider attack has killed multiple local leaders, including the chief of police:
Kandahar's Governor, Chief of Intelligence and General Raaziq, Chief of Police have been killed in #Afghanistan reports @FrudBezhan
— Ibrahim Qazi (@miqazi) October 18, 2018
#Kandahar whole leadership is killed. What a horrible situation. This shows clearly the vulnerability of our situation. #Kandaharattack #USNegotiationNoWhere https://t.co/lxU61lgcEG
— Samira Hamidi (@HuriaSamira) October 18, 2018
UPDATE 1: My source tells me the #Kandahar governor's bodyguards turned their guns on their own colleagues and U.S. military officials.
Two Americans wounded and evacuated. Top U.S. commander in #Afghanistan present but unhurt, says NATO.
— Frud Bezhan فرود (@FrudBezhan) October 18, 2018
U.S. troops were wounded in the attack as well:
The Latest: Afghan guards turn weapons on colleagues at Kandahar security meeting, kill police chief; 2 US troops wounded. https://t.co/fPaonaJa9G
— The Associated Press (@AP) October 18, 2018
The police chief, General Raziq, has been targeted by the Taliban before:
The Taliban spokesman has claimed credit for killing of Kandahar police chief General Raziq
— Emma Graham-Harrison (@_EmmaGH) October 18, 2018
The Taliban have killed the governor and intel chief of Kandahar province, along with its strongman, Gen. Abdul Raziq. This is not only a major show of strength, but may also clear the way for the insurgent group to expand and consolidate control of southern Afghanistan.
— Arif Rafiq (@ArifCRafiq) October 18, 2018
U.S. General Scott Miller was at the meeting as well but reportedly unhurt:
The top U.S. commander in #Afghanistan, General Scott Miller escaped unhurt after a burst of gunfire in the governor's compound in Kandahar province on Thursday but the powerful police chief General #AbdulRazeq was killed, officials said.https://t.co/olxqeEvSJ7
— The Peninsula (@PeninsulaQatar) October 18, 2018
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General Miller may have left the meeting just before the shooting started:
NEW: General Scott Miller, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, had left moments before the shooting began; 2 U.S. citizens are among those injured
— BNO News (@BNONews) October 18, 2018
The area is now secure:
.@ResoluteSupport-"There was a situation at the Kandahar palace today. Initial reports indicate this was an Afghan-on-Afghan incident. 2 Americans were wounded in the cross-fire & they have been medically evacuated. Gen. Miller is uninjured. We are being told the area is secure"
— Ryan Browne (@rabrowne75) October 18, 2018
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Related:
Now THIS is girl power! Nikki Haley's photo from Afghanistan EMBARRASSES #WomensMarch2018 https://t.co/2HgDNH1bNF
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) January 21, 2018