A U.S. special operations commando has been killed in Afghanistan during an operation against ISIS in the Nangarhar province, defense officials announced Tuesday.
"The service member was killed conducting operations with Afghan forces when the patrol triggered an Improvised Explosive Device," the statement said.
"On behalf of all of U.S. Forces-Afghanistan, we are heartbroken by this loss and we extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the service member," U.S. Afghanistan commander Gen. John Nicholson said. "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."
ISIS has reclaimed parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan but the Taliban remain the dominant military force in the region. Since 9/11, groups like ISIS and the Taliban have flourished in the Islamic countryside.
In August, ISIS charged a U.S. 'casualty collection point' and the remaining troops were forced to flea and left gear behind while moving to a 'safer' location.
According to Pentagon data, 1,832 U.S. service members have been killed in action in Afghanistan since 2001, when U.S.-led forces invaded the country and tried to topple the Taliban regime.