US Service Member Killed in Nangarhar During Operation Targeting ISIS

A U.S. military service member was killed in eastern Nangarhar province during a joint U.S.-Afghan counter-terrorism operation targeting ISIS in Afghanistan. The service member died from injuries resulting from the blast of an improvised explosive device.

“We are heartbroken by this loss, and we extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the service member,” Gen. John W. Nicholson, commanding officer for US forces in Afghanistan, said in a written statement.

According to the statement, the service member, who was not identified and whose military branch was not named, was killed during a patrol with Afghan forces when an improvised explosive device was triggered.

Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said it is believed that no other U.S. or Afghan troops were wounded during the operation. He declined to identify which unit the fallen service member was with as the U.S. military notified family members. Counterterrorism missions are commonly carried out by Special Operations troops.

“This was a combat situation,” Cook said. “Clearly this was a service member who faced risk alongside Afghan partners and we offer our condolences to the family.”

There have been a total 2,381 US deaths in Afghanistan operations since 2001.