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The Afghan national accused of shooting two National Guardsmen in a possible terror attack near the White House Wednesday was granted asylum this year — after entering the US through a disastrous Biden-era program.

Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, arrived in the US through Operation Allies Welcome, the botched 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal plan that allowed roughly 90,000 Afghans to obtain Special Immigration Visas under the Biden Administration, sources said.

Initial reports suggested Rahmanullah Lakanwal was living in the country illegally after overstaying his visa. However, a Trump admin official confirmed to Reuters that Lakanwal applied for asylum in December 2024 and was approved on April 23 of this year — and had no known criminal history.

Lakanwal resettled in Bellingham, Washington.


  Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, was identified as the alleged gunman behind Wednesday’s shooting of two National Guard members. MQ RYAN via REUTERS Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, was identified as the alleged gunman behind Wednesday’s shooting of two National Guard members. MQ RYAN via REUTERS

He reportedly entered the US on Sept. 8, 2021, through the refugee program, which provided foreign nationals immigration processing and resettlement support following the chaotic withdrawal.

Evacuees, including Afghan allies, their families and other vulnerable groups, were either placed with relatives or temporarily sheltered in military “Safe Havens” until they were resettled.

Bellingham, where the suspect lived, was among the Washington cities targeted for Afghan refugees under Operation Allies Welcome, with some 800 resettled in 2022, according to the Immigrant & Refugee Health Alliance.


  The attack is being probed as a possible act of terrorism. AFP via Getty Images The attack is being probed as a possible act of terrorism. AFP via Getty Images

Others were placed in Seattle, Tacoma, Yakima, and Spokane.

It is unclear how long the visas were valid.

The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.


  Police keep a presence following the shooting of two National Guard soldiers near the White House on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, in Washington. AP Police keep a presence following the shooting of two National Guard soldiers near the White House on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, in Washington. AP

  National Guard members leave the scene where two National Guardsmen were shot in Washington, DC, on November 26, 2025. Nathan Posner/Shutterstock National Guard members leave the scene where two National Guardsmen were shot in Washington, DC, on November 26, 2025. Nathan Posner/Shutterstock

On Wednesday, Lakanwal was lying in wait before he rounded the corner near the Farragut West Metro Station in Northwest DC around 2:15 p.m., then allegedly opened fire, striking a female guard in the chest before shooting her in the head, law enforcement sources told The Post.

The crazed gunman then allegedly fired at and struck the second guard — until a third guard stationed nearby rushed to the area and took him down, the sources said.

The two armed soldiers, who were patrolling the streets when the suspect launched his vicious rampage, were taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition, authorities said.


  Law enforcement officers on guard at the White House following the shooting of two National Guard soldiers on November 26, 2025, in Washington, DC. Getty Images Law enforcement officers on guard at the White House following the shooting of two National Guard soldiers on November 26, 2025, in Washington, DC. Getty Images

  Crime Scene technicians examine the scene of a shooting of two National Guard soldiers on November 26, 2025, in Washington, DC. Getty Images Crime Scene technicians examine the scene of a shooting of two National Guard soldiers on November 26, 2025, in Washington, DC. Getty Images

The suspect, who acted alone and was reportedly shot four times, was hauled away nearly naked in an ambulance.

While officials have described the incident as a “targeted shooting” and “ambush,” police have not revealed a motive for the attack.

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