REPORT: An American Two-Star General Has Been Killed In An 'Insider Attack' In Afghanistan

The New York Times is reporting that an American two-star general has been killed in Afghanistan, citing "officials of the American-led coalition" in the country.

The officer would be the highest-ranking American military official killed during the now-12-year-old U.S. operation in the country, just months before the U.S. is scheduled to cease major combat operations in accordance with the Obama administration's announced timetable for withdrawal.

The major general was shot and killed in an "insider attack" - or a terrorist attack undertaken by a uniformed member of the Afghan National Army or police.

The attacks became more common as the coalition campaign in Afghanistan continued and as more Afghans were trained and integrated into their country's military with an eye towards transferring the country's security burden to its citizens, a drive that also made the military more susceptible to terrorist infiltrators.

There were a record 37 insider attacks in 2012 that left over 50 people dead, compared to just two in 2008, according to USA Today.

In addition to leading to the death of a top U.S. military official, today's attack casts a harsh spotlight on how little success the U.S.-led coalition has really made in handing off security responsibilities to the Afghan government.