Afghan Soldier Who Killed American General not Part of Taliban: Pentagon

The killer of the first American general to die in Afghanistan was not a part of any terrorist group and acted of his own accord, a report released by Pentagon says.

MOSCOW, December 5 (Sputnik) — Major General Harold J. Greene was shot on August 5 by private Rafiqullah of the Afghan National Army. The private was not acting on behalf of the Taliban, Thursday's report states, as quoted by the New York Times.

"It appears the shooting was not premeditated, and the shooter simply took advantage of a target of opportunity provided by the close gathering," the report says, adding that the gunman was less than 15 meters away when he shot at senior officers grouped together in a meeting.

General Greene was the only casualty, with 18 other soldiers wounded. Rafiqullah was then shot by Danish and American soldiers providing security for the meeting. The report praised their efficiency and recommended the award of nine medals to those who returned fire and provided first aid.

General Greene is not only the first American general to die in Afghanistan, but also the highest-ranking American officer to lose his life in a military engagement since the Vietnam War.