OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 11:09 AM PT — Thurs. Oct. 18, 2018
The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan recently escaped an attack by the Taliban, which claimed the lives of at least two Afghanistan security officials.
A gunman wearing an Afghan army uniform opened fired Thursday after a meeting between General Scott Miller and Afghan officials in a southern province. Miller is said to have been the target of the attack, but was not injured.
In this September 2, 2018 photo, provided by the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army Gen. Scott Miller, commander of U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan, delivers remarks during the Resolute Support mission change of command ceremony in Kabul, Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force/Tech. Sgt. Sharida Jackson, via AP)
Officials confirmed three Americans were hurt — a service member, a civilian and a contractor — but the injuries are not life threatening.
However, at least two Afghan security officials were killed, including the region’s police chief and intelligence chief.
“I very much regret to say that several high level officials have been killed,” announced Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. “I express my deepest sympathy and grief with all people of Afghanistan, especially with residents of the town.”
The attack comes ahead of parliamentary elections Saturday, which the Taliban has threatened to disrupt.
