Officials: Alleged National Guard Shooter Previously Worked With U.S. Partner Forces in Afghanistan, Including Cooperation With CIA

New details have emerged about the background of Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the 29-year-old Afghan national accused in the recent National Guard shooting, with former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe stating that Lakanwal previously worked with U.S. government entities during the war in Afghanistan — including cooperation with the CIA through partner-force operations in Kandahar. The claims, first discussed publicly by Ratcliffe, have drawn major attention as investigators continue examining the suspect’s history, immigration background, and past affiliations.

Authorities emphasize that the case remains in the early stages, and Lakanwal is considered alleged in all charges, with no conviction. Still, the revelations about his past involvement with U.S. security and intelligence efforts have intensified public scrutiny and raised complex questions about vetting processes for individuals who worked alongside American personnel during the Afghanistan conflict.

Claims of Government Partnership Work in Afghanistan

According to statements made by Ratcliffe, who served as director of national intelligence from 2020 to 2021, Lakanwal was part of a U.S.-supported partner force in the southern Afghan province of Kandahar, one of the most contested regions of the war. Ratcliffe said Lakanwal’s role included operational contact with U.S. agencies, and that he had, at times, cooperated with the Central Intelligence Agency during counterterrorism or intelligence-support missions.

A senior U.S. official not directly involved in the case noted that thousands of Afghan nationals worked in various roles with American forces or intelligence agencies over two decades, including translators, guides, security forces, and partner militia members. “Working with U.S. agencies as part of a partner force does not automatically indicate an individual had access to classified programs or sensitive operations,” the official said. “But it does mean they were part of military or intelligence-adjacent activity.”

No formal documentation of Lakanwal’s work has yet been released publicly, and U.S. officials caution that Ratcliffe’s statements reflect his personal knowledge of partner operations and may not encompass the full picture.

Investigators Reviewing Timeline, Entry to the U.S.

Federal investigators are now assembling a timeline of Lakanwal’s movements since leaving Afghanistan, including how and when he entered the United States. Large numbers of Afghan nationals were evacuated or resettled following the August 2021 fall of Kabul, but officials have not said whether Lakanwal arrived as part of that evacuation effort or through another immigration pathway.

Authorities are reviewing records to determine whether he underwent standard vetting procedures required for those with a history of working for U.S.-partnered Afghan forces, many of whom were fast-tracked through special immigrant visa (SIV) or humanitarian parole programs.

“We will be looking at every aspect of his background,” one law-enforcement source said. “That includes any U.S. contacts overseas and what agencies, if any, had knowledge of him.”

National Guard Shooting Investigation Continues

Details of the shooting incident itself remain limited, as officials continue interviewing witnesses and examining forensic evidence. Lakanwal was taken into custody without incident, and authorities have not disclosed a potential motive. He has not yet entered a plea.

Local and federal agencies are jointly investigating, with emphasis on whether the suspect acted alone, whether there were any warning signs beforehand, and how his background may factor into understanding the incident. Officials stress that no conclusions have been reached, and all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

Political Reaction and Public Debate

Ratcliffe’s statements about Lakanwal’s CIA-linked partner work quickly triggered a political debate, as lawmakers asked whether the U.S. government may have overlooked risk indicators or gaps in background screening.

Some officials warned against jumping to conclusions. “We must be careful not to conflate allegations with facts,” a congressional security aide said. “The focus should be on what investigators verify, not on speculation based on incomplete information.”

Immigration advocates also urged caution, noting that many Afghans who worked with U.S. agencies faced trauma, threats, and dislocation. “We should avoid stigmatizing entire groups based on actions of a single individual,” one advocate said.

Officials: Inquiry Will Be Thorough

As of Thursday, investigators continued to analyze Lakanwal’s past roles in Afghanistan, any formal connections he had with U.S. partner operations, and whether any part of his background would have raised concerns during standard screening.

“We are going to take a careful, fact-based approach,” the law-enforcement source said. “Any claims about intelligence ties or partner work will be verified through documentation, not assumptions.”

For now, the case remains under active investigation, with federal officials emphasizing that the priority is establishing facts, not drawing premature conclusions.