A KSK LIEUTENANT COLONEL LEADS A HOSTAGE RESCUE IN AFGHANISTAN

On November 10, 2016, a truck loaded with explosives rolled up to the German consulate general in Afghanistan and went up in a massive explosion. Armed suicide attackers stormed the compound and tried to fight their way through to the German staff. Their plan looked like it was working, until Bundeswehr soldiers showed up and stopped the worst from happening.

The vehicle detonated at around 11 p.m. local time, killing 6 people and wounding 120 more. The main wing of the consulate general was largely destroyed and other sections were set on fire. Power and phone lines had gone down as well, so for a time there was no contact with the outside world. The German police officers assigned to protect the consulate were in a firefight with the attackers from the first moment and held them back. The only question was how much longer they could do it.

Georgian forces, German pararescuemen and KSK commandos reached the site of the attack quickly. A KSK staff officer, a lieutenant colonel at the time, took command of the assembled forces and acted at once:

With parts of the building burning and collapsing and the threat of further attacks, the German specialists worked their way through to the trapped diplomats. While the pararescuemen secured the civilians, our special forces combed the consulate and made sure the attackers posed no further threat. The diplomats were then evacuated from the building and brought to safety. The operation got every member of the consulate staff out unhurt and prevented further damage to the Federal Republic. Security-sensitive equipment, classified documents and the German federal service flag were kept out of the attackers’ hands.

For his brave and decisive leadership on the ground, at risk to his own life, the KSK staff officer was awarded the Cross of Honour of the Bundeswehr in Gold with Red Border. The mission showed one thing: we can rely on our soldiers.