District of Columbia: A US soldier was killed by a bomb blast Tuesday while on foot patrol during counterterrorism operations in eastern Afghanistan, the US military said.
Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said it was his "understanding" that no other US personnel or Afghan troops were wounded in the attack in Nangarhar province, noting that it did not appear the American was specifically targeted.
"The servicemember was killed conducting operations with Afghan forces when the patrol triggered an improvised explosive device," US Forces-Afghanistan said in a statement.
"The mission was conducted as part of a larger United States-Afghan counterterrorism mission targeting the Islamic State, Khorasan."
The Pentagon withheld the servicemember`s identity, pending notification of family members.
"Despite this tragic event, we remain committed to defeating the terrorists of the Islamic State, Khorasan Province and helping our Afghan partners defend their nation," said General John Nicholson, who heads US forces in Afghanistan.
Nangarhar province is a hotbed of Islamic State group activity near the border with Pakistan. The soldier died in the province`s Achin district.
US and NATO forces are working with Afghan partners to battle the Taliban and other groups. About 2,300 US troops have been killed in Afghanistan since the US-led invasion in 2001.
