Nationwide Guard capturing suspect was in CIA counterterrorism unit : NPR

Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the Afghan man who allegedly shot two Nationwide Guard members in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, beforehand served in one among Afghanistan’s elite counterterrorism items, based on AfghanEvac, a nonprofit run by U.S. veterans and others who served in Afghanistan.

The unit was operated by the CIA with direct U.S. intelligence and navy assist, based on AfghanEvac.

Lakanwal’s unit, NDS-03, operated on the route of the CIA and fought the Taliban on behalf of the U.S. authorities, the group mentioned.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe mentioned in a press release earlier Thursday that the shooter concerned within the assault, who got here to the U.S. from Afghanistan in 2021, was admitted into the U.S. “on account of his prior work with the U.S. Authorities, together with CIA.”

He’s more likely to have been vetted a number of instances throughout his journey to the USA, based on the group, which works with Afghans who helped the U.S.

Lakanwal was evacuated by the U.S. navy in August 2021, following the autumn of Kabul within the first 12 months of the Biden administration.

He arrived within the U.S. below humanitarian parole, the non permanent authority used to evacuate tens of 1000’s of Afghans on particular immigrant visas and people Afghans who labored with the U.S. and have been in danger from the Taliban. He utilized for asylum within the Biden years and was granted asylum in April 2025, below the Trump administration.

Throughout a press convention on Thursday, FBI Director Kash Patel mentioned Lakanwal’s involvement with U.S. and allied forces in Afghanistan could be a central focus of the investigation.

“This topic had a relationship in Afghanistan with accomplice forces,” Patel mentioned. “We’re totally investigating that facet of his background as nicely, to incorporate any recognized associates which are both abroad or who’re right here in the USA of America.”

Patel additionally mentioned, with out offering proof, that Lakanwal was allowed into the U.S. by the Biden administration with out correct vetting. Patel blamed “the failure to vet any manner, in any manner, form or kind, this particular person and numerous others.”

Lakanwal had an lively particular immigrant visa (SIV) utility underway, given to those that labored with the U.S. in Iraq and Afghanistan. Although he had acquired chief of mission approval, a compulsory step required for the SIV, he hadn’t but been granted lawful everlasting residence — or a inexperienced card.

AfghanEvac famous that each the purposes for chief of mission approval in addition to asylum would have required overview and vetting by the U.S. authorities, together with the CIA.

In an interview with NPR, the founding father of AfghanEvac, Navy veteran Shawn VanDiver, mentioned it is untimely to say whether or not Lakanwal warranted extra scrutiny.

“We do not know but. If there was a vetting failure, we have got to repair it, however we won’t paint with a broad brush this whole neighborhood, proper? The overwhelming majority of Afghans who’ve come right here and are simply good upstanding residents,” VanDiver mentioned.

Vetting for asylum contains id and background checks, biometric vetting, in-person interviews, and an evaluation of individualized threat and eligibility below U.S. regulation. These granted asylum can apply for a inexperienced card after one 12 months.

“This violent act doesn’t replicate the Afghan neighborhood, which continues to contribute throughout the USA and undergoes a few of the most in depth vetting of any immigrant inhabitants,” AfghanEvac mentioned in a press release.