One US general was killed in Afghanistan

[hellheaven1987]

A news that probably please neither Taliban nor US government.

A US major-general has been killed in an attack by a man in Afghan military uniform at a British-run military academy near Kabul, US officials say.

Fifteen others have been injured. Half of them are thought to be Americans and they also include a German general.

Afghanistan's Ministry of Defence said the Afghan soldier was shot dead after he opened fire.

The major-general is the most senior international soldier killed since the fall of the Taliban in 2001.

The BBC understands the shooting at Camp Qargha happened after a dispute broke out.

The attacker was a soldier who was recruited three years ago, Afghan defence ministry sources told the BBC.

Source

Since there is no evidence suggesting this Afghan soldier is targeting the general nor whether the action is motivated by Taliban, we probably can say Taliban is not pleased to hear that a random war lunatic is more effective than religious nuts like themselves. On the other hand, I do wonder is this a common way to release stress in Afghanistan? Also would this event affect US strategy in Afghanistan?

[Heinz Guderian]

It just all sounds like a misunderstanding to me.

[Condottiere 40K]

What's he worth, one hundred blessings?

[hellheaven1987]

What's he worth, one hundred blessings?

72 virgins are certainly too few for him.

[Holger Danske]

72 virgins are certainly too few for him.

Indeed, he'll be rewarded with 72 virgin goats!

[Valiant Champion]

Indeed, he'll be rewarded with 72 virgin goats!

or wooden phallus's

[opock]

I think it's a pretty even split between people that go into "spontaneous islam" mode and carry out these attacks, and people that do it for personal reasons, because their "honor" was offended in some manner or they were slighted in some way during their interactions or something.

[Torment]

Since there is no evidence suggesting this Afghan soldier is targeting the general nor whether the action is motivated by Taliban, we probably can say Taliban is not pleased to hear that a random war lunatic is more effective than religious nuts like themselves.

Seeing as the Taliban has retaken large swaths of the country in recent months, I doubt they will lose any sleep over it.

[Farnan]

Seeing as the Taliban has retaken large swaths of the country in recent months, I doubt they will lose any sleep over it.

It's summer...

[Sphere]

The GI's I have talked with are jealous. They've always wanted to shoot a general or two.

[Condottiere 40K]

I thought their weapon of choice was a grenade? Forensics can't trace the shrapnel, such as is the case with a bullet.

[Sphere]

I thought their weapon of choice was a grenade? Forensics can't trace the shrapnel, such as is the case with a bullet.

CSI Afghanistan?

[Lord of Nihilism]

Another casualty in the ongoing Afghan War. I've been noticing that a lot of generals in the US, British and Canadian Army(Or any Army for that matter) have quite a substantial amount of ribbons and/or medals for doing absolutely nothing, so it's refreshing to see a general be tested in combat to see if he or she are worth their metal. Unfortunately, it seems this US General hasn't seen a lot of combat and thus he was KIA.

[LexLuthor]

Another casualty in the ongoing Afghan War. I've been noticing that a lot of generals in the US, British and Canadian Army(Or any Army for that matter) have quite a substantial amount of ribbons and/or medals for doing absolutely nothing, so it's refreshing to see a general be tested in combat to see if he or she are worth their metal. Unfortunately, it seems this US General hasn't seen a lot of combat and thus he was KIA.

That is a grossly ignorant comment to make, and quite a disrespectful one too.

By your logic, anybody who has died in the battlefield is lacking in training. Coming from a Marine who has been to Afghanistan, I can tell you that the Taliban and Gorilla fighters are organized and smart, they're not some rabble screaming ALAH! like so many think. Along with that, claiming you find it "refreshing" in seeing men tested and killed is also disturbing. A General officer is someone that has a grand level of experience, and they don't just pump out like they do in your video games (I'm a Sergeant and have only seen a handful in my 6 years of service). Please respect those who have fallen, and the families who will no longer see their loved one again.

- Lex

Edited for Grammar

[Lord of Nihilism]

That is a grossly ignorant comment to make, and quite a disrespectful one too.

I wouldn't consider my comment ignorant or disrespectful.

By your logic, anybody who has died in the battlefield is lacking in training.

Usually that's the case though since you're given the knowledge and the tools to get the job done in the Army, so if you get KIA then it's most likely due to insufficient skills.

Coming from a Marine who has been to Afghanistan, I can tell you that the Taliban and Gorilla fighters are organized and smart, they're not some rabble screaming ALAH! like so many think.

Yes, i'm well aware that the Taliban and these militia fighters are battle hardened, but the General also should've been battle hardened but as we can see it's not the case.

Along with that, claiming you find it "refreshing" in seeing men tested and killed is also disturbing.

Just to clarify, no where in my post did I express joy or happiness that a general was KIA. With that being said, how else do you find out if your soldiers, officers and generals are capable of combating the enemy? You have them fight the enemy so you can determine if your troops and training are superior.

A General officer is someone that has a grand level of experience, and they don't just pump out like they do in your video games (I'm a Sergeant and have only seen a handful in my 6 years of service). Please respect those who have fallen, and the families who will no longer see their loved one again.

Yes, he "supposedly" had a lot of experience but as we know it seems that his experience was nothing substantial since a......third world person managed to take out a general. Now, if a standard front line troop was KIA then it wouldn't have surprised anyone, but the fact that a general who is supposed to be the best of the best; a master in hand to hand combat, marksmanship and tactics was KIA is concerning.

My point is that the performance of a major general, who is supposed to be extremely battle hardened and skilled, ended up being KIA by a third world person. This death of the general warrants an investigation in my opinion so hopefully the US Government will do so.

[LexLuthor]

Yes I remember in high school when I used to decipher every sentence in an Argument, who are you a private eye?

Yes, he "supposedly" had a lot of experience but as we know it seems that his experience was nothing substantial since a......third world person managed to take out a general. Now, if a standard front line troop was KIA then it wouldn't have surprised anyone, but the fact that a general who is supposed to be the best of the best; a master in hand to hand combat, marksmanship and tactics was KIA is concerning.

My point is that the performance of a major general, who is supposed to be extremely battle hardened and skilled, ended up being KIA by a third world person. This death of the general warrants an investigation in my opinion so hopefully the US Government will do so.

I do know who you aren't, someone who has the slightest idea of United States Military operating procedures.

I can tell you base your facts on standard Hollywood movies. Generals are Generals because they are the best at massive combat schemes of maneuver. They do not have to be masters at shooting, hand to hand combat, physical training, or any of the such. They are Generals because they have powerful minds. You cannot argue against this because you have yet to wear anything more than a boyscouts uniform (Just a forewarning any claims you make on having Military experience to save your argument will assuredly be disputed).

Listen young man; people die, troops die, and Generals die. The last acting General the US lost was during 9/11, and for you to claim that this one didn't know what he was doing because he was shot in the back while expecting his camp, is as ignorant as claiming the one in the World Trade Center was inexperienced as well. I won't further continue this argument with you because it's just pointless and honestly agitating. I tried to argue with you in my "Bergdahl post" with valid points, but you took every single one of them and played devils advocate, and you will surely do the same thing here.

-Lex

Edited for Grammar

[Symphony]

Usually that's the case though since you're given the knowledge and the tools to get the job done in the Army, so if you get KIA then it's most likely due to insufficient skills.

You have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. I actually had a much more comprehensive post typed out, but the sheer weight of ridiculousness I had to wade through to make any sense out of what you wrote shorted out my brain, and I couldn't bring myself to attach my name to the resulting tragedy.

It might be different here in Canada compared to the US, but we expect our generals to be able to defeat any enemy(Unless the enemy is a general himself) in close quarters combat AKA hand to hand combat, marksmanship and tactics since that's why they're generals in the first place; they're supposed to be the best of the best and extremely skilled and battle hardened.

.....there aren't words, in any language, to even begin addressing this. Serious armed forces haven't encouraged their general officers to take part in combat for a very, very long time...it tends to use up a lot of said general officers, you see, because combat operations are extremely chaotic and opportunistic by definition, and it's categorically impossible to train anybody to such perfection that they're invincible.

...even Canadian ninjas.

[Request a new user name]

My point is that the performance of a major general, who is supposed to be extremely battle hardened and skilled, ended up being KIA by a third world person. This death of the general warrants an investigation in my opinion so hopefully the US Government will do so.

Whaa???

This guy was in a school, a supposedly safe place, and shot by a random nut out of the blue. He mostly likely didn't have time to react before taking a fatal hit, and if he was lucky it was an insta-kill and not a slow gurgling death.

Those around him were likewise caught off guard and hit before they could react. Also the assailant had high ground and concealment till he fired. Are you going to say this general should walk around with heat vision?

[Lord of Nihilism]

Whaa???

This guy was in a school, a supposedly safe place, and shot by a random nut out of the blue. He mostly likely didn't have time to react before taking a fatal hit, and if he was lucky it was an insta-kill and not a slow gurgling death.

Those around him were likewise caught off guard and hit before they could react. Also the assailant had high ground and concealment till he fired. Are you going to say this general should walk around with heat vision?

The exact details of this battle is still not as clear as I would like it to be, so i'm going to wait for more information before I make a final judgement. My opinion as of now though is that this general lacked the sufficient skills to defeat an Afghan warrior, but like I said we don't have all the details and it's just my personal opinion.

For people saying "generals aren't supposed to be skilled shooters or close quarter combat specialists", how exactly did you come to that conclusion? generals used to be infantry officers themselves(I hope) where they had to fight the enemy face to face, so why exactly is it impossible for a general to retain and improve his or her combat skills and physical fitness? Does becoming a general suddenly mean you can't fire accurately, or handle an Afghan warrior in a fight?

[alhoon]

I just saw that on ABC and then on BBC because I didn't believe it from just one channel. I was speechless. The USA major-general wasn't the only casualty; a general of the Afghans was also wounded, I don't know how badly. More than 12 people were shot according to BBC.
I haven't been as shocked by a random event of violence since 9/11.

I don't find the death of a man joking matter but yes, it seems a lone wacko is more dangerous than a calculating enemy. After all, lone wackos have killed Presidents, senators etc in the past.
May the victims of this shooting rest in peace.