Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a former Afghan special forces operative, is now facing charges for a deadly ambush in Washington, D.C. This tragic event follows a period of significant personal struggle for Lakanwal, who, despite his distinguished service alongside US forces in Afghanistan, found himself adrift in America. His journey from a highly decorated soldier to an alleged killer highlights the profound challenges faced by many Afghan veterans seeking refuge and a new life in the United States.

In 2011, Rahmanullah Lakanwal joined Unit three, also known as the Kandahar Strike Force, quickly earning recognition as an outstanding soldier within Afghanistan's elite military. This unit was part of Zero, an Afghan special operations force established by the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) during the fight against the Taliban. Zero was so effective in intense battles against the Taliban that it was sometimes referred to as a "death squad." A former associate of Zero described Lakanwal as a "tough soldier who spoke fairly good English."

Lakanwal underwent rigorous vetting for his obedience and reliability in joint operations, as well as his loyalty to US advisors. This evaluation was a regular part of his service with the unit. Lakanwal's unit was stationed in Kandahar province but operated across southern and southeastern Afghanistan. They often were the first to infiltrate dangerous areas in southern Afghanistan, conducting reconnaissance and identifying high-ranking Taliban commanders and other key targets during night operations. Following their intelligence, CIA-backed forces would move in to apprehend or eliminate these targets.

Soldiers believed to be from the Zero unit in Afghanistan. Photo: JSOC

Soldiers believed to be from the Zero unit in Afghanistan. Photo: JSOC

"They regularly faced fierce combat," stated Mick Mulroy, a former CIA officer and US Marine. Lakanwal and his comrades conducted an average of three operations weekly, primarily targeting individuals linked to al-Qaeda and the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS), according to a close source. This source noted that Lakanwal served as a "breacher," tasked with placing explosives to force entry during night raids. "They were skilled and very loyal fighters," the source said of Zero unit members. Zero units, like Lakanwal's, experienced little turnover, as members received higher pay than regular Afghan army forces and gained elevated social status.

However, the Zero force's standing collapsed in August 2021, when the United States withdrew its troops from Afghanistan and the Taliban entered Kabul, reclaiming power. Lakanwal and other Zero team members participated in securing the Kabul airport during the tense and chaotic evacuation. Lakanwal arrived in the United States around September-October 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome (OAW), a program by President Joe Biden's administration to help approximately 76,000 Afghan citizens resettle in the US.

Despite undergoing strict background checks before joining the Zero unit, Lakanwal still had to go through extensive screening by US counter-terrorism agencies before being allowed into the country. Initially, the CIA was reluctant to share the identities of Zero unit members evacuated to the US, aiming to protect them and their families still in Afghanistan from being targeted by the Taliban or IS. However, the agency later agreed to provide a list to other US regulatory bodies, as individuals like Lakanwal might appear on FBI screening systems in the US, facing investigation and disrupting their resettlement.

A rare photo of Rahmanullah Lakanwal after arriving in the United States. Photo: Reuters

A rare photo of Rahmanullah Lakanwal after arriving in the United States. Photo: Reuters

Lakanwal believed his connections with US advisors, who fought alongside him in Afghanistan, would ensure a stable life for him and his family. This did not happen. According to the US Department of Homeland Security, Lakanwal, his wife, and five children lived in Bellingham, Washington, after being granted humanitarian parole, which expired in mid-2024. Lakanwal applied for asylum late last year, which was approved by President Donald Trump's administration in April this year.

This new asylum status did not include a work permit extension, making it difficult for him to find employment. The pressure to support his family weighed heavily on Lakanwal. Initially, Lakanwal and his younger brother lived together with the family in Washington to save costs. However, the two brothers frequently argued over financial issues, according to a former senior Afghan commander. "They were elite soldiers, with careers and homes in Afghanistan. But when they came here, they had nothing. People told them to get jobs, but they didn't have the skills for suitable work," said a former Afghan commander currently living in the United States.

Emails obtained by AP reveal Lakanwal seemingly spiraled into crisis over several years, struggling to maintain steady employment and experiencing long periods of isolated darkness. His condition deteriorated so severely that a community activist contacted a refugee support organization for help, fearing Lakanwal had suicidal intentions. An email from the community activist to the US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) stated: "Lakanwal has not fulfilled his role as a person, a father, and a family provider since March 2023, when he quit his job and began to change his behavior."

At times, Lakanwal stayed in his dark room for weeks, not speaking to anyone, including his wife or older children. At one point in 2023, the family faced eviction after months of unpaid rent. Lakanwal's employment history in the US is not entirely clear, but Amazon confirmed that an individual with his name was an independent partner for the company for one month this summer, working for their Flex delivery service.

The emails also showed that on several occasions when Lakanwal's wife left him to care for the children for one week to visit relatives, the children were not bathed, had not changed clothes, and were not properly fed. Their school had raised concerns about these conditions. However, these periods were interspersed with weeks when Lakanwal tried to make amends and "do the right thing," such as re-establishing contact with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, which was required under his entry terms into the United States.

US investigators learned that Lakanwal might be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to sources, family members indicated that this PTSD stemmed from Lakanwal's combat experience in Afghanistan. Many veterans from the Zero unit find themselves in similar situations to Lakanwal, facing both financial and mental difficulties while living in the United States. They struggle to adapt to a new life in a country where they do not fully understand the language and culture.

The former Afghan commander warned that the consequences of years of high-stress combat combined with the pressures of life in the United States leave many feeling abandoned. This carries significant risks. Last week, Lakanwal drove alone from Bellingham across the country to Washington, D.C. On 26/11, the former operative arrived at the Farragut West subway station, two blocks from the White House, and ambushed two National Guard soldiers patrolling the area.

A makeshift memorial for Sarah Beckstrom, the US guard shot dead by Lakanwal on 26/11. Photo: AP

A makeshift memorial for Sarah Beckstrom, the US guard shot dead by Lakanwal on 26/11. Photo: AP

The attack resulted in the death of one US guard and severe injury to another. Lakanwal was critically wounded by another guard and is currently receiving hospital treatment. "It's unclear what led him to commit that horrific act, whether it was a mental breakdown or something more serious," said Geeta Bakshi, a former CIA officer who worked in Afghanistan and is now director of FAMIL, an organization supporting Afghans who worked for the United States.

Thanh Tam (According to Washington Post, AFP)