US major general killed, 15 others wounded in insider attack in Afghanistan

August 6, 2014

was killed yesterday afternoon in an apparent or 'green on blue' attack at the  on the outskirts of,. His death marks the first death of a United States general since the and the first on foreign soil since the. Along with the death of Major General Greene, fifteen others were wounded in the attack including a German, eight US soldiers, a number of soldiers, and three Afghan soldiers.

The attack started during a routine visit, when an individual, reportedly an soldier, opened fire with a light assault rifle from inside a building, 100  (90 ) away from where Greene and others were standing. Soldiers fired back and killed the attacker. The Pentagon Press Secretary,  John Kirby, said, "There are a number of casualties as a result of the shooting, perhaps up to 15, to include some Americans". Kirby added, "Many were seriously wounded. Others received only minor injuries. The assailant was killed."

An spokesperson, General Mohammad Zahir Azimi, said the attacker was a "terrorist dressed in an Afghan army uniform." The acknowledged the attack and praised it, but did not claim responsibility for it.

Greene was serving as deputy commanding general of the at the time of his death. He was previously Deputy for Acquisition and Systems Management in the office of the. Greene joined the Army as an officer in 1980 after graduating from.

In a statement General  gave his condolences, saying, "Our thoughts and prayers are with Maj. Gen. Harold J. Greene's family, and the families of our soldiers who were injured today in the tragic events that took place in Afghanistan. These soldiers were professionals, committed to the mission. It is their service and sacrifice that define us as an Army."