Americans killed in Paktia insider attack

KABUL on Saturday, the alliances said.

The US citizens were killed when an individual wearing an ANA uniform turned his weapon against the ISAF soldiers in the east, a statement from ISAF said, without mentioning the exact location of the incident.

“ISAF and Afghan officials are continuing to assess the incident and more information will be released as appropriate,” the statement added.

An army officer from Kandahar province attacked the Americans after a verbal clash between the two sides in the Sigani area of Khairkot district, an ANA commander said.

Gen. Mohammad Akbar, deputy head of the 203rd Thunder Military Corps in Paktia, told Pajhwok Afghan News three ISAF soldiers were killed and as many others wounded. The attacker was wounded in retaliatory fire, he said.

Governor Mohibullah Samim had tasked a team of ANA, police and National Directorate of Security (NDS) to investigate the incident along with ISAF investigative team, he added.

Initial investigations showed the incident erupted due to a verbal clash and the soldier had no links with insurgents, Gen. Akbar said.

In the five green-on-blue attacks during the current year so far, eight ISAF soldiers and a US contractor have been killed. In 2012, 62 foreign troops were killed in 29 insider attacks.

myn/mud