Suhail Shahin, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s representative in Qatar, has called for a full and transparent investigation into the recent shooting in Washington that targeted two U.S. National Guard members, emphasizing the suspect’s background and ties to U.S.-controlled Afghan security structures.

Speaking to CNN, Shahin highlighted that preliminary information suggests the individual was previously part of Afghan security institutions operating under direct American oversight, raising serious questions about their loyalty to Afghanistan.

“According to reports, this individual was a member of forces working under the command of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA),” Shahin explained. He added: “These people were not loyal to their homeland… It is necessary to conduct a comprehensive investigation to reveal the truth about him and others who share the same mindset.”

The suspect has been identified by U.S. authorities as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who was brought to the United States in 2021 through a program launched after the American military withdrawal from Afghanistan during the Biden administration.

Shahin and Taliban officials emphasize that Lakanwal, like many others, had served under U.S. control in Afghanistan, working directly with the CIA. Former CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed that the Trump administration had granted him asylum in April 2021. Law enforcement sources also note that Lakanwal entered the U.S. as part of a relocation effort for Afghans collaborating with American institutions, a move that underscores the deep involvement of foreign powers in Afghan affairs.

Following the incident, U.S. authorities announced the indefinite suspension of special immigration processing for Afghans, a decision that civil society groups warn will affect those seeking resettlement. The Islamic Emirate continues to stress that Afghans who served foreign agendas cannot be trusted and that accountability for these collaborations is necessary. (ILKHA)