Law enforcement officers descended on Farragut Square in Washington DC after two National Guard members were shot on Wednesday. The incident has sent shockwaves through the US capital and triggered a significant reassessment of security protocols.
Suspect's CIA Background Revealed
The alleged gunman has been identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national. In a startling revelation, the Central Intelligence Agency confirmed that Lakanwal had previously worked with CIA-backed military units during the US war in Afghanistan.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe disclosed to media outlets that Lakanwal entered the United States in September 2021 under the Operation Allies Welcome programme. This initiative provided entry visas to Afghans who had worked for the US government. Ratcliffe told Fox News Digital that the Biden administration justified bringing Lakanwal to the US due to his prior work, which included involvement with the CIA.
"Lakanwal's involvement with the agency was as a member of a partner force in Kandahar, which ended shortly following the chaotic evacuation," Ratcliffe stated. The New York Times further reported that the shooting suspect had worked for several US government agencies in Afghanistan, including a CIA-backed unit in the southern Taliban stronghold of Kandahar.
Immediate Aftermath and Policy Shift
Following the shooting, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services announced an immediate and indefinite halt to processing all residency applications from Afghan nationals. The agency stated this drastic measure was pending a further review of security and vetting protocols.
In a swift security response, President Donald Trump ordered 500 additional National Guard troops to be deployed to Washington. The President characterised the shooting as an "act of terror" and pointed to immigration as what he called "the single greatest national security threat facing our nation."
Broader Implications for US Policy
This violent event has cast a harsh spotlight on the US evacuation and resettlement process for its former Afghan allies. The confirmation of the suspect's background with a US intelligence partner force raises serious questions about the efficacy of the vetting procedures that were in place during the hurried withdrawal from Afghanistan.
The suspension of application processing for Afghan nationals indicates a major shift in policy, directly influenced by this security breach. The situation continues to develop as authorities investigate the full circumstances surrounding the attack on the National Guard members.
