In a shocking incident that has sent ripples through US immigration policy, a 29-year-old Afghan national with ties to US intelligence has been arrested for a brazen daylight shooting in Washington DC, mere blocks from the White House.
The Shooting and Immediate Aftermath
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a former member of US-backed Afghan forces, now faces first-degree murder charges for killing 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom and wounding 24-year-old Staff Sgt Andrew Wolfe. Both victims were West Virginia National Guardsmen deployed as part of former President Donald Trump's anti-crime initiative.
The Trump administration responded swiftly to the violence, announcing an immediate pause on all asylum decisions and suspending visa issuance for Afghan nationals. This dramatic policy shift underscores the complex security challenges facing the United States regarding Afghan allies.
Unraveling the 'Zero Unit' Connection
Circulating images of Lakanwal's identification badge reveal his connection to the mysterious "Kandahar Strike Force" or "03" unit - one of several elite "Zero Units" that operated alongside US and foreign forces during Afghanistan's nearly two-decade war against the Taliban.
These specialized units functioned as Afghan intelligence and paramilitary forces, receiving training from American special operations personnel. They conducted high-risk missions, including frequent night raids across Afghanistan's southern Kandahar province.
Lt Gen Sami Sadat, former commanding general of the Afghan National Special Operations Corps, confirmed that Lakanwal served eight years in the "03" unit, describing him as "responsible and professional" with strong anti-Taliban views.
Controversial Legacy of Zero Units
Human Rights Watch has repeatedly accused these units of serious human rights violations during the 2010s, including extrajudicial killings and indiscriminate airstrikes. Diplomats reportedly described them as "death squads," though both the CIA and US government have consistently denied these allegations.
The badge image circulating online also references "Firebase Gecko," the former CIA and US Special Forces base that once served as the compound of Taliban founder Mullah Mohammad Omar.
From War Hero to Shooting Suspect
Lakanwal's journey to the United States followed a familiar path for Afghan allies. According to General Sadat, the former soldier's family faced serious Taliban threats, forcing their relocation from Khost province to Kabul. In America, Lakanwal was "generally calm" but suffered from PTSD.
As a Zero Unit member, Lakanwal would have been virtually guaranteed asylum in the US, since these elite forces became prime Taliban targets after the group regained control in 2021. Many unit members played crucial roles in the August 2021 Kabul evacuation, securing priority evacuation for themselves and their families.
Operation Allies Welcome Under Scrutiny
The shooting has placed Operation Allies Welcome under intense scrutiny. Officials confirmed Lakanwal entered the US through this federal program established under President Joe Biden to assist Afghans fleeing Taliban reprisals.
Later renamed Enduring Welcome, the program admitted nearly 200,000 Afghans to the United States, with approximately 40% receiving Special Immigrant Visas. Reports suggest the program had significant flaws, potentially allowing individuals to enter with minimal oversight.
However, the Department of Homeland Security maintains that all arrivals underwent a "rigorous screening and vetting process" involving multiple agencies including the DHS, Department of Defence, FBI, and National Counterterrorism Center.
This case highlights the ongoing challenges in balancing humanitarian obligations toward Afghan allies with national security concerns, raising questions about vetting processes for those who served alongside American forces.
