'Killed The Target': US Launches Drone Strike Against IS-K Responsible For Kabul Airport Attack

The US launched a drone strike against the Islamic State attack planner after the Kabul suicide bombing and American officials have claimed to have "killed the target"

Kabul blast victims (Image: TOLOnews)

New Delhi: A day after explosions by ISIS-K at Kabul airport killed 13 U.S. troops and scores of Afghan civilians, the United States launched a drone strike against the Islamic State attack planner in eastern Afghanistan on Friday, reports AFP.

U.S. Central Command said the strike took place in Nangahar province, east of Kabul. 

"Initial indications are that we killed the target. We know of no civilian casualties," a U.S. military statement said, as quoted by Reuters.

"The unmanned airstrike occurred in the Nangarhar Province of Afghanistan. Initial indications are that we killed the target," said Captain Bill Urban of the Central Command, as quoted by AFP.

Captain Bill further informed that there were no civilian casualties reported making an official announcement of the US strike on ISIS after the Kabul attack.

President Joe Biden vowed on Thursday that the United States would hunt down those responsible for the attack, and said he had ordered the Pentagon to come up with plans to strike at the perpetrators.

Although the exact death toll is unclear given the extent of the suicide bombing attack, the AFP news agency quoted former health officials and reported that the toll had risen to 78, including 13 US troops, when a suicide attacker exploded a bomb in the dense crowd in front of the airport's Abbey Gate. Some media reported that fatalities numbered close to 200.

After the attack, US President Joe Biden had vowed to retaliate. Addressing the nation on Thursday after the attack, Biden said, "To those who carried out this attack as well as anyone who wishes America harm, know this: We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay,"