Islamic State Leader In Afghanistan Killed

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The US military has confirmed that the head of so-called Islamic State in Afghanistan has been killed in a special forces raid.

The announcement follows speculation that Abdul Hasib was among several high-ranking leaders of IS in Afghanistan who died in the April 27th raid on a compound in Nangarhar province in eastern Afghanistan.

In the same region, 34 IS fighters have been killed and an insurgent-controlled radio station destroyed in air strikes conducted by Afghanistan's air force over a 24-hour period.

It is said that the radio station was illegally broadcasting IS messages and therefore was a threat to the people and the government.

Abdul Hasib is believed to have been behind an attack in March on a military hospital in the capital Kabul that killed or wounded more than 100 people.

That same month, Afghan and US forces launched a counter-offensive in the province.

General John Nicholson, commander of US forces in Afghanistan, said Hasib was the second leader of IS in Afghanistan to be killed in the last nine months.

He said:

"Any ISIS member that comes to Afghanistan will meet the same fate.

"This fight strengthens our resolve to rid Afghanistan of these terrorists and bring peace and stability to this great country."

The Pentagon also said two US Army Rangers died in the raid as a result of friendly fire in the opening minutes of the three-hour battle.

The US military will offer recommendations on the war in Afghanistan to President Donald Trump within the next week, amid calls for thousands more troops to be sent to help break a stalemate with Taliban insurgents.