Americans killed in Kabul in possible Quran reprisal
Source: Agencies |
February 26, 2012, Sunday
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TWO Americans believed to be a US colonel and major were shot dead in Afghanistan's interior ministry yesterday, security sources said, while rage gripped the country for a fifth day over the burning of the Muslim holy book at a NATO base.
A spokeswoman for NATO's International Security Assistance Force confirmed two of their servicemen had been shot dead in central Kabul by an individual who turned his weapon on them. She declined to say if the killer was a member of the Afghan military or police.
The commander of NATO and US forces said all NATO personnel are being recalled from Afghan ministries following the attack "for obvious force protection reasons."
General John Allen said NATO is investigating the shooting and will pursue all leads to find the person responsible for it.
Afghanistan's Taliban movement claimed responsibility for the shootings, which it said were in retaliation for the desecration of the Qurans at Bagram airfield.
The Quran burnings underscored the deep cultural divide that still exists more than 10 years after US soldiers invaded to oust the Taliban and has deepened public mistrust of Western troops struggling to stabilize the country.
An Afghan security source said the shooting of the two Americans in the Interior Ministry could be connected to the burning of the Qurans.
Four Afghans were shot dead by Afghan security forces as demonstrators came out to the streets yesterday, with an attempt by protesters to bombard a UN compound in the north.
Despite an apology from US President Barack Obama and a call for restraint from Afghan leader Hamid Karzai, thousands have taken to the streets.
A spokeswoman for NATO's International Security Assistance Force confirmed two of their servicemen had been shot dead in central Kabul by an individual who turned his weapon on them. She declined to say if the killer was a member of the Afghan military or police.
The commander of NATO and US forces said all NATO personnel are being recalled from Afghan ministries following the attack "for obvious force protection reasons."
General John Allen said NATO is investigating the shooting and will pursue all leads to find the person responsible for it.
Afghanistan's Taliban movement claimed responsibility for the shootings, which it said were in retaliation for the desecration of the Qurans at Bagram airfield.
The Quran burnings underscored the deep cultural divide that still exists more than 10 years after US soldiers invaded to oust the Taliban and has deepened public mistrust of Western troops struggling to stabilize the country.
An Afghan security source said the shooting of the two Americans in the Interior Ministry could be connected to the burning of the Qurans.
Four Afghans were shot dead by Afghan security forces as demonstrators came out to the streets yesterday, with an attempt by protesters to bombard a UN compound in the north.
Despite an apology from US President Barack Obama and a call for restraint from Afghan leader Hamid Karzai, thousands have taken to the streets.
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