By Jamieson Lesko and Jim Miklaszewski, NBC News
KABUL, Afghanistan -- Two U.S. service members were killed and at least eight others were injured Monday in a possible insider attack at a special forces site in Afghanistan, U.S. and Afghan officials said.
At least two American service members were killed this morning when a man dressed in Afghan police clothing entered a meeting and opened fire on coalition and Afghan forces. NBC's Mike Taibbi reports.
The shooting occurred at a U.S. special operations outpost in Wardak province in eastern Afghanistan, U.S. officials said. The shooter, who was dressed in an Afghan military or police uniform, was shot and killed.
"We have two confirmed dead, but the toll could rise,? one U.S. official said.?
A senior official in the Afghan Defense Ministry said that at least three Afghans were also killed.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack in a text message sent by Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid. The group has falsely claimed responsibility for attacks in the past.
The shooting occurred during a group meeting or briefing, a spokesman for NATO's International Security Assistance Force said.
Monday?s incident marks the first time Americans have been killed by enemy contact in Afghanistan since Jan. 7, according to U.S. officials.
Rahmat Gul / AP
More than ten years after the beginning of the war, Afghanistan faces external pressure to reform as well as ongoing internal conflicts.
An ISAF official said the shooter was wearing an Afghan National Security Forces uniform.
The attack took place as a deadline expired for U.S. special forces to leave the eastern province of Wardak, after Afghan President Hamid Karzai accused them and Afghans working for them of overseeing torture and killings in the area.?
It was not immediately clear if the attack was directed at U.S. special forces.?
U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, who left Afghanistan early on Monday after a three-day visit, raised the sensitive issue of Wardak when he met Karzai.?
U.S. forces have denied involvement in any abuses in Wardak.?
Reuters contributed to this report. This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
Related:?
Afghanistan following 11 years of US combat: 'Not much different'
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel in Afghanistan: 'We're still at war'
Afghan president orders US forces out of key province
This story was originally published on Mon Mar 11, 2013 7:22 AM EDT
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