Afghan "Policeman" Kills Six ISAF Soldiers

From The Long War Journal:


Afghan 'policeman' kills six ISAF soldiers

By Bill RoggioNovember 29, 2010





A man dressed in an Afghan Border Police uniform killed six ISAF soldiers during training in the east before being killed himself, the International Security Assistance Force reported today.



"An individual in an Afghan Border Police uniform turned his weapon against International Security Assistance Forces during a training mission today, killing six service members in eastern Afghanistan," ISAF stated in a press release. The identities and nationalities of the ISAF soldiers were not disclosed, nor was the exact location of the attack.



It is unclear if the attacker was a Taliban fighter who infiltrated the training, an Afghan police recruit planted or turned by the Taliban, or a disgruntled policeman. ISAF has begun an investigation into the deaths of the soldiers.



The Taliban have not released a statement claiming credit for the attack at this time.



The Taliban have killed several ISAF trainers and soldiers in similar attacks over the years. In July, Taliban fighters who infiltrated the police and Afghan Army killed three British soldiers, two US civilian trainers, and an Afghan soldier in separate attacks in Helmand and Balkh. In August, a police trainee opened fire on and killed two Spanish troops and their interpreter in western Afghanistan. The Taliban took credit for the attack. And earlier this month, two US Marines were killed by an Afghan soldier in Helmand.



Today's attack takes place just two days after two Taliban suicide bombers dressed as Afghan police officers penetrated security at a police headquarters and training facility in Paktika province, also in the east. The suicide bombers killed 12 Afghan policemen in the attack. It is unclear if the suicide bombers were actual policemen or if they penetrated security.



ISAF has stepped up its training of Afghan soldiers and police in an effort to rapidly grow the Afghan National Security Forces. NATO has pledged to begin the handover of security responsibilities to the ANSF in 2014. The rapid growth of the ANSF has given the Taliban opportunity to more easily infiltrate security forces.


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