An Afghan soldier keeps watch at the gate of an air force compound after the shooting. (Shah Marai / AFP/Getty Images / April 27, 2011)

Reporting from Kabul, Afghanistan— “Eight U.S. troops and an American contractor were killed early Wednesday when a veteran Afghan military pilot opened fire on trainers during a meeting in a military compound near Kabul International Airport.

The Taliban quickly claimed responsibility in what it said was the latest attack by an insurgent infiltrator.

… Azizullah [the attacker] contacted Taliban officials two years ago, and had been feeding them information. He planned his attack for five months, but it was only approved the day before because he was a valuable source.

“This attack indicates that we can access any security forces facilities of the enemy we want,” Mujahid said. “We have our infiltrators in all sections.”

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-afghan-pilot-20110428,0,3114785.story