On Saturday, a firefight broke out in Sherzad district, Nangarhar province, said a US forces spokesman, Col. Sonny Leggett, who confirmed that two US service members were killed and six others were wounded, and that wounded service members were receiving medical treatment at a US facility.
The US spokesperson’s statement read: “Upon completing a key-leader engagement at the district center, current reports indicate an individual in an Afghan uniform opened fire on the combined U.S. and Afghan force with a machine gun.”
The governor in Nangarhar, Shah Mahmood Miakhel, posted a statement of Facebook saying: “(Afghan) Army Special Forces and Resolute Support troops entered into the district. When they entered someone started shooting at them--an army soldier started shooting at them. He was killed in response. Three (Afghan) commandos were injured in the shooting. And a number of RS (Resolute Support) troops were also wounded."
Miakhel continued: "There was an operation ongoing. An investigation is being conducted. We still don’t know if he was an “influenced” person or if it was a mistake. Security officials have been sent to the area to investigate and soon we will share the details.”
US Col Leggett said: “We are still collecting information and the cause or motive behind the attack is unknown at this time. The incident is under investigation,” adding: “In accordance with US Department of Defense policy, the names of the service members killed in action will be withheld until 24 hours after notification of next of kin is complete.”
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defense confirmed the incident and said in a statement that an individual opened fire on Afghan National Army members and US force personnel in Sherzad district, Nangarhar, on Saturday evening, killing one member of the Afghan Army and wounding three others.
The ministry said two Resolute Support personnel were killed and six others were wounded in the incident.
The Ministry of Defense said a high-level delegation led by the Chief of Army Staff Bismillah Waziri is investigating the incident together with the US team in Nangarhar.