Two U.S. servicemembers died after an individual wearing an Afghan National Police uniform turned his weapon against them in Uruzgan province, U.S. Forces-Afghanistan announced Thursday.

The incident, which happened in Khas Uruzgan in the eastern part of the province, is under investigation.

It is Department of Defense policy to not identify casualties until after the families have been notified.

Prior to the announcement, at least 52 foreign troops — about half of them Americans — have been reported killed in insider attacks.

A similar number of Afghan security forces has also been killed by their own, or insurgents in Afghan uniforms.

The announcement comes one day after Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar called for more such killings.

In an emailed statement congratulating Muslims as they prepare to celebrate the Eid al-Adha holiday, Omar urged “every brave Afghan in the ranks of the foreign forces and their Afghan hirelings ... to strike them.”

“Jihadist activities inside the circle of the state militias are the most effective stratagem. Its dimension will see further expansion, organization and efficiency,” he said. “Increase your efforts to expand the area of infiltration in the ranks of the enemy.”

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