ISIS Afghanistan head Abdul Hasib killed: US, Afghan officials

The head of Islamic State in Afghanistan – believed to be the mastermind behind several high-profile attacks including an assault on a military hospital that claimed at least 50 lives – has been killed, US and Afghan officials said.

Abdul Hasib, whose group is affiliated with IS in Iraq and Syria, was killed last month in a targeted raid by special forces in the eastern province of Nangarhar, the presidential palace in Kabul

said in a statement.

"He had ordered the attack on 400 bed hospital in Kabul that resulted in the death and injuries of a number of our countrymen, women," it said.

"The Afghan government is committed to continuing its operations against Daesh and other terrorist groups until they are annihilated," it added, using another name for IS, which is also referred to as ISIS.

NATO commander in Afghanistan General John Nicholson confirmed the killing of Hasib and warned that "any ISIS member that comes to Afghanistan will meet the same fate."