How did this imam misunderstand Islam and jihad so severely as commit this attack? How did he miss all of Islam’s peaceful teachings? How did he get the idea that jihad was more than taking the kids to school? More mysteries for the learned analysts to ponder!
“British soldier killed by ‘imam’ in Afghanistan insider attack,” by Rob Crilly and Zubair Babakarkhail in the Telegraph, January 8 (thanks to Jerk Chicken):
A British soldier has been shot dead by a rogue Afghan soldier in Helmand province in the first British death of the year.
The dead soldier, a member of 28 Engineer Regiment, attached to 21 Engineer Regiment, was part of a team preparing Nato bases to be handed to Afghan forces.
Six British soldiers were also wounded in the attack, which began with an argument among Afghan troops. Their injuries are not thought to be life threatening.
Afghan officials said the man responsible was a soldier, nicknamed Shiekh, from the east of the country, who often led prayers….
A spokesman for the Taliban claimed it was responsible for the latest attack. However, a local official said the incident began with an argument between the gunman and other Afghan soldiers, which ran out of control and ended with shots fired indiscriminately at Afghan and British troops nearby.
A member of the Afghan National Army in Helmand said the attacker “” shot dead after opening fire — was from Laghman Province and had joined the Afghan army a year ago.
“He was well-known as being religious and would lead prayers, acting as an imam,” said the soldier, speaking on condition of anonymity.