DC shooting suspect had ties to US forces in Afghanistan, confirms FBI Director Kash Patel

FBI Director Kash Patel on Thursday confirmed that Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the suspect in the shooting of two US National Guard members, had connections to US forces in Afghanistan.

Lakanwal “had a relationship in Afghanistan with partner forces,” CNN quoted Patel as telling reporters during a news conference.

The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, arrived in the United States in September 2021 under the Operation Allies Welcome programme, which provided visas to Afghans who had assisted the US government.

Patel said Lakanwal’s ties to US operations in Afghanistan are part of the ongoing investigation.

“We are fully investigating that aspect of his background as well, to include any known associates that are either overseas or here in the United States of America,” he added.

Earlier, CIA Director John Ratcliffe had also confirmed Lakanwal’s ties to the agency to media outlet.

“The Biden administration justified bringing the alleged shooter to the United States in September 2021 due to his prior work with the US government, including CIA,” Fox News quoted Ratcliffe as saying, adding that Lakanwal’s involvement with the agency was “as a member of a partner force in Kandahar, which ended shortly following the chaotic evacuation”.

Immigration requests for Afghans suspended

Meanwhile, The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it has suspended all residency applications from Afghan nationals following the Washington, D.C. shooting.

“Effective immediately, processing of all immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals is stopped indefinitely pending further review of security and vetting protocols,” the agency said on social media.

In response to the incident, President Donald Trump ordered 500 additional National Guard troops to the capital.

Trump said the attack was an “act of terror”, adding that he would take steps to remove foreigners “from any country who does not belong here”.

He said the US “must now re-examine every single alien who has entered our country from Afghanistan under Biden”.

With inputs from agencies