KABUL, Afghanistan - A coalition patrol travelling on Highway 2 in the Maidan Shahr District of Wardak province Aug. 27 fired on a vehicle perceived to be a threat to the patrol.
The coalition patrol had just received fire from insurgents in a location known as a hotspot for improvised explosive device attacks and direct fire ambushes.
The vehicle approached the rear of the patrol at a high rate of speed.
Personnel in the coalition vehicle saw a man shooting out of the approaching vehicle's windows. Perceiving the vehicle to be a threat, the gunner fired at the vehicle and killed two of the occupants.
Following the engagement, coalition forces learned the two individuals killed were private security contractors.
It is believed that the private security contractors were returning fire against the same insurgents who had just previously attacked the coalition vehicle, and had increased their speed to break contact. The two killed were among several private security contractors attacked with small-arms fire by insurgents as they travelled to Kabul along Highway 2.
The incident is being looked into by coalition forces.