WASHINGTON — An Afghan soldier shot and killed two American service members in Afghanistan, U.S. officials said Monday.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak on the record about details that have not yet been made public.
U.S. Central Command confirmed that two U.S. troops were killed, but provided no details. It said additional information is being withheld until 24 hours after notification of next of kin is complete.
According to officials, the Afghan soldier was wounded and is in custody. The shooting took place in Kandahar in the country’s south.
On Monday night confirmed the deaths of two yet-unnamed Fort Bragg paratroopers were confirmed in online by Panther Brigade Col. Art Sellers of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne.
“It is with a heavy heart that I inform you of the loss of two Paratroopers from the Brigade during combat operations,” Sellers wrote. “I ask you to respect the official Department of Defense notification process, a process which may take a few days.”
The U.S. formally ended its Afghan combat mission in 2014 but still provides extensive air and other support to local forces battling both the Taliban and an affiliate of the Islamic State group.
U.S. and allied forces have faced increasing insider attacks in recent years. In November, Brent Taylor, the mayor of North Ogden, Utah, and a major in the Utah National Guard, was killed by an Afghan soldier in Kabul.
The last six months have seen the Taliban carry out near-daily attacks, mainly targeting Afghan security forces.
The insurgent group effectively controls around half the country.
The Taliban have rejected calls for a cease-fire even as they hold talks with the U.S. aimed at ending the 18-year war, America’s longest.
IS, meanwhile, has launched attacks targeting security forces as well as minority Shiites.
The U.S. has lost more than 2,400 soldiers in its longest war, and has spent more than $900 billion on everything from military operations to the construction of roads, bridges and power plants.
The Trump administration is trying to boost the capabilities of Afghan security forces and increase military pressure on the Taliban in the hope of forcing them to negotiate a peace.
North State Journal contributed to this report.
