Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Nov 29: The United States has temporarily suspended the issuance of visas to individuals traveling on Afghan passports, secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Friday. The decision comes just two days after an Afghan national shot and killed one National Guard soldier and critically injured another near the White House.

“President Trump’s State Department has paused visa issuance for all individuals travelling on Afghan passports,” Rubio posted on X, stressing that national safety remains the government's top priority. The State Department later confirmed the move in an official statement.

The suspected gunman, 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, entered the US in 2021 under the Biden administration’s Operation Allies Welcome program. He applied for asylum the following year and was granted protected status earlier in 2024, according to Xinhua.

Local reports indicate that Lakanwal had previously worked alongside US forces and was considered “clean on all checks” conducted before his employment with the CIA in Afghanistan as well as prior to his entry into the United States.

The FBI is now investigating the attack as a potential act of terrorism.

According to NBC News, Lakanwal arrived in the US in September 2021 after serving about a decade in the Afghan army, where he supported US Special Forces. He had been residing in Washington state, investigators said.

A report by Fox News further noted that he had been involved with multiple US government entities in Afghanistan, including the Central Intelligence Agency, while serving in a partner force.

The attack occurred at approximately 2:15 p.m. near the Farragut Square Metro Station, according to Joint Task Force DC, which oversees National Guard operations in the capital. The suspect was shot by another Guard member at the scene and taken into custody.

Authorities are continuing efforts to verify all details about Lakanwal, who remains hospitalized.