Islamic State: Afghan leader killed in raid

The leader of Islamic State in Afghanistan was killed during a raid by US and Afghan special forces, officials confirmed.

Abdul Hasib, who was responsible for ordering a string of deadly attacks in the country, died in the Nangarhar province on 27 April.

General John Nicholson, the top US commander in Afghanistan, said: "This successful joint operation is another important step in our relentless campaign to defeat [IS] in 2017."

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At least 35 militants and several high-ranking commanders were killed in the raid, which involved 50 US Army Rangers and 40 Afghan troops. Two rangers also died, possibly as a result of friendly fire, says US Central Command.

"Within a few minutes of landing, our combined force came under intense fire from multiple directions and well-prepared fighting positions," said a joint US-Afghan army statement. "Nevertheless, our forces successfully closed on the enemy."

Hasib, who has led the group since his predecessor Hafiz Khan was killed by a US drone strike last year, is believed to have ordered the deadly attack on a Kabul military hospital in March. IS fighters disguised as doctors stormed the building, killing dozens of medical staff and patients.

The group, sometimes referred to as Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K), has been active since 2015, fighting both the Taliban as well as Afghan and US forces, Reuters reports.

"It is believed to maintain links with the main IS movement in Iraq and Syria but has considerable operational independence," the agency adds. "Defeating the group remains one of the top US priorities in Afghanistan."

The raid came weeks after the US military dropped its most powerful conventional bomb in its arsenal on an IS cave complex in Nangarhar. At least 94 fighters, including four commanders, were killed.