Military says Islamic State leader killed in raid where Rodgers died

Posted on May 8, 2017

By Eric Stock

WASHINGTON – The Pentagon said the head of the Islamic State in Afghanistan was killed in the raid in which Army Ranger Josh Rodgers of Bloomington also died.

CBS News reports the military had suspected the death of Abdul Haseeb Logari following the April 27 raid in the eastern Afghanistan province of Nangarhar, but the Pentagon confirmed the death Sunday night.

The Pentagon says U.S. and Afghan Special Security Forces killed several high-ranking leaders of Islamic State in Afghanistan in the raid.

“This fight strengthens our resolve to rid Afghanistan of these terrorists and bring peace and stability to this great country,” Gen. John Nicholson, the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan said in a statement. “Any ISIS member that comes to Afghanistan will meet the same fate.”

Sgt. Rodgers, 22, and fellow Army Ranger, Sgt. Cameron Thomas of Kettering, Ohio died in the raid.

Rodgers was laid to rest Saturday at Evergreen Cemetery in Bloomington following a celebration of life at Eastview Christian Church in Normal.

The U.S. military is investigating whether Rodgers was killed by friendly fire.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].

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