The Afghan man believed to have carried out the ambush on two National Guard soldiers in Washington, D.C., once belonged to a paramilitary group funded by the CIA that was feared for its ruthlessness.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, was an operative of the so-called “Zero Units,” one of Afghanistan’s top counter‑terrorism forces.
The unit, NDS‑03, operated under CIA oversight and received direct support from U.S. intelligence and military resources.
These Afghan‑run teams were trained for nighttime raids and covert missions in the country, and their members often fought alongside CIA paramilitary officers in front‑line engagements.
Zero Units—known for their aggressive tactics and allegations of abuse—played a significant part in the chaotic U.S. withdrawal and were key in securing Kabul International Airport as both Americans and Afghans fled.
Lakanwal’s specific duties within the unit were unclear at first. A cousin told the Associated Press that Lakanwal began his career there as a security guard in 2012, before earning a promotion to team leader and GPS specialist.
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