Afghan linked to CIA-backed 'Zero Unit' suspected in DC shooting
Afghan linked to CIA-backed 'Zero Unit' suspected in DC shooting
An Afghan national tied to a CIA-backed elite unit is linked to a daylight attack in Washington, intensifying security reviews of Afghan evacuees.
A man of Afghan origin identified as Lakanwal is at the center of the investigation into a daylight shooting in Washington, D.C. Officials say he entered the United States in 2021 as part of the Biden administration's mass evacuation of Afghans. Investigators are examining potential ties to a clandestine force that operated with U.S. military involvement in Afghanistan, known as the Zero Unit, which has become a focal point in ongoing inquiries. The probe is examining whether experiences in the U.S. or Afghanistan contributed to radicalization or the alleged actions.
The Zero Unit has been described by authorities as an elite CIA-backed group that carried out high-risk missions. Its covert nature has raised questions about vetting and oversight for individuals linked to such units, particularly among those evacuated to the U.S. after 2021. Authorities are careful to separate speculation from confirmed facts while pursuing leads about how Lakanwal may have connected to the unit and its activities.
The incident has already prompted policy responses in some circles, including pauses in asylum decisions and temporary visa suspensions for Afghan nationals as officials review security screening and immigration procedures. While officials emphasize that investigations are ongoing, the case underscores the broader challenges of balancing national security with humanitarian commitments to evacuees.
Public statements indicate that Lakanwal reportedly faced isolation and periods of radicalization in recent years, though investigators say the motive remains unclear and are continuing to assemble the timeline of events leading up to the shooting. As more information becomes available, authorities are expected to detail any operational links to the Zero Unit and what this could mean for future security oversight of evacuees and related programs.
Cover image source: Zero Unit: What We Know About the Elite CIA Force Allegedly Tied to the D.C. Shooting Suspect 🔗
