Gunman in soldier's uniform attacks Afghan Defense Ministry

Gunman in soldier's uniform attacks Afghan Defense Ministry

An insurgent dressed as an Afghan soldier attempted to assassinated the Afghan and French defense ministers during a meeting Monday at the Defense Ministry in Kabul, officials said.

It was not initially clear how many were killed or wounded, a ministry official said.

It appears now that snow has thawed and spring is upon the battle ridden countryside of Afghanistan, the Taliban is as feisty and emboldened as ever? Moreover, this is not an isolated incident, but a discouraging trend of Taliban fighters moonlighting as Afghan military and police. It is becoming all to common. Most notably, a year ago or so, a CIA outpost was infiltrated and numerous agents were killed in the attack.

Al-Qaida double-agent killed CIA officers

Preventing security lapses, and infiltration by the enemy is their bread and butter, and if they got caught with their pants down; who will be next?

8 NATO troops killed in one day in Afghanistan

Attacks by insurgents wearing Afghan security forces uniforms are not uncommon, but the death toll from such incidents has not been as high recently. In November 2010, six U.S. soldiers were killed by an insurgent posing as an Afghan border police agent at a military training area in Nangarhar province. The year before, five British soldiers in Helmand province were killed in a similar attack.

The clip above mentions that the attacks have not been as high recently? To me, that sounds like NATO is trying to downplay the grievous nature of these incidents. The Afghan army and police work in tight collusion with NATO forces on bases throughout the country. Taliban double agents could be anywhere and could strike at anytime. Supposedly, the NATO is working on some kind of counterintelligence plan to thwart this latest strategy by the Taliban. Who knows how successful that will be?

The latest attack on the Afghan Defense Minister could have been bad, because he was with a Western counterpart. In all seriousness, this attack did not take place at some isolated outpost, but at the Afghan Defense Ministry. One would figure that security would be high given the high profile nature of this installation. Yet, the Taliban was able to infiltrate the compound with one of their sleeper cells. If some high profile general, dignitary, or diplomat is killed in one of these attacks, who knows how harsh and callous the response will be? It will certainly raise the stakes for all involved in the central Asian roadblock known as Afghanistan.

So what...let the Afghans deal with it...I'm tired of the U.S. having to police the world. The news is reporting this as if it happend here at home. We can't fix Afghanistan all we can do is protect poppy fields for the corrupt leaders and their ilk.

reply to post by peponastick


That's just it, the Afghans are not dealing with it. If they were, this type of thing would not be happening with such blatant persistence. They ought to know their own people better than any of the foreigners over there? It seems most Afghans are tight-lipped about Taliban activities in their communities? If they were more cooperative and forthright with information about this group, it would make the efforts by NATO easier.

It would hopefully speed up their departure as well. If they want the foreigners out, it is high time to put their necks out there, and help out in any way possible. If some high profile person is killed in one of these attacks, there could be a drastic escalation in the conflict? More troops on the ground, and indefinite stay for them as well.

reply to post by peponastick


America policing the world? To my recollection, the Americans invaded them in the first place. Then decided they needed policing.

It is a mess that the USA has made and needs to clean up, or admit defeat and get out.