The Afghan immigrant suspected of carrying out the terror ambush on two National Guard troops in Washington DC was once part of a CIA-backed paramilitary strike force with a reputation for ruthlessness.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, was a member of the so-called “Zero Units” — one of Afghanistan’s elite counterterrorism arms.
His unit — NDS-03 — was operated by the CIA and had direct US intelligence and military support.
The paramilitary units, which were manned by Afghans, were trained to carry out night raids and covert missions in Afghanistan.
Members also served in front-line fighting with CIA paramilitary officers.
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Lakanwal’s exact role in the unit wasn’t immediately clear.
One of his cousins told the Associated Press that he started out working as a security guard for the unit back in 2012.
He was then later promoted to team leader and a GPS specialist.
Zero Units — some of which were known for brutality and abuses — played a role in the chaotic US withdrawal.
The members were among those providing security around Kabul International Airport as Americans and some Afghans evacuated.
