Three U.S. soldiers killed in attack by Afghan soldier, official says

June 10, 2017

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(CBS News) — Three U.S. soldiers were killed by an Afghan army solider who opened fire on them following an operation in eastern Afghanistan, a U.S. official confirms to CBS News.

Attahullah Khogyani, a spokesman for the governor in Nangarhar province, said earlier Saturday that two U.S. soldiers had been killed and two others wounded in the attack. One of those wounded later died of injuries sustained in the attack, a U.S. official tells CBS News.

Khogyani said the Afghan soldier was a commando and was killed after the attack. An Afghan source who declined to be named tells CBS News the gunman was the commander of an 11-soldier unit.

In a statement, the Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, claiming the soldier was a Taliban infiltrator. The group named the attacker as Obaidullah from Kunar province, releasing a photo purporting to be him.

The incident occurred as U.S. and Afghan forces returned from a joint operation, the Afghan source said. The area has been cordoned off by U.S. troops.

A U.S. official says it is unclear if the deaths were due to friendly fire.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer said President Trump’s national security team briefed him on the situation. The White House said Army Reserve Major General Rick Waddell provided updates. Mr. Trump is at his golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey.

Vice President Mike Pence, speaking at an event in Milwaukee, briefly addressed the attack.

“When heroes fall, Americans grieve,” Pence said. “Our hopes and prayers are with their families.”

A spokesman for U.S. forces in Afghanistan earlier told CBS News they were “aware of an incident” involving U.S. troops in the eastern part of the country. The Pentagon has not yet officially confirmed the deaths.

Ahmad Mukhtar contributed reporting from Kabul, David Martin from Washington and Alicia Amling from Bedminster, New Jersey.

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