Afghan national kills two National Guard members in Washington

(Patria) - Rahmanullah Lakanwal (29), an Afghan national, yesterday shot and killed two National Guard members in downtown Washington, US authorities confirmed.

According to the BBC, multiple sources from law enforcement agencies identified Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who entered the country through a program called Operation "Allies Welcome" in 2021. He was wounded after the attack and subsequently arrested.

The US immediately suspended the processing of all immigration applications for Afghan nationals pending a review of "security and vetting protocols," the US Citizenship and Immigration Services announced.

"The protection and security of our homeland and the American people remain our sole focus and mission," they stated.

The decision comes after two National Guard soldiers were seriously wounded in a shooting near the White House and died shortly thereafter.

US President Donald Trump said the attack was a "terrorist act".

Tens of thousands of Afghans entered the US under special immigration protections following the chaotic US withdrawal from the country in 2021, during the term of former President Joe Biden.

In a statement after the shooting, Trump said the US "must now re-examine every single foreigner who entered the country from Afghanistan under Biden."