Abdul Hasib, a militant ISIS-K emir that orchestrated several devastating attacks in Afghanistan, was killed last month in a Special Forces raid, according to a statement given by the President of the country on Saturday. The United States Military Command in Afghanistan has confirmed that US forces were involved in the mission that resulted in his death.The raid took place on April 27th, and resulted in the death of other ISIS-K leaders, as well as 35 fighters.General John Nicholson, commander of US forces in Afghanistan, gave a statement on the success of the operation:
"This successful joint operation is another important step in our relentless campaign to defeat ISIS-K in 2017. This is the second ISIS-K emir we have killed in nine months, along with dozens of their leaders and hundreds of their fighters. For more than two years, ISIS-K has waged a barbaric campaign of death, torture and violence against the Afghan people, especially those in southern Nangarhar."
Fifty US Army Rangers and 40 more Afghan Commandos were dropped into Nangarhar Province by helicopter, just a mile or so from where the MOAB was dropped on April 13th. Within just minutes, they were surrounded by heavy fire, and called in support from several sources; an AC-130 aircraft, F-16s, drones and Apache helicopters were all utilized in assisting the raid.According to authorities, Hasib was directly responsible for the attack on Kabul National Military Hospital, a 400-bed hospital. He also ordered the kidnapping girls and even killing elders in front of their own families during the attack. The operation resulted in over 100 Afghan casulaties.The Pentagon is currently conducting an investigation into the deaths of two Army Rangers involved in the raid - Sgt. Joshua Rogers, 22, and Sgt. Cameron Thomas, 23, of the 3rd Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment, who may have been struck by friendly fire.