U.S. soldier killed, another wounded; Gen. says they showed “valiancy in battle”

The U.S. military says an American soldier was killed and another wounded during a combat operation in eastern Afghanistan.

The military said in a statement that “several” Afghan security forces were killed and wounded in the same operation Monday.

Gen. John Nicholson, the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, said: “their valiancy in battle, and that of the brave Afghan partners they fought alongside, will endure in our hearts and history.”

The wounded soldier was transported to Bagram Airfield, where he is listed in stable condition.

The U.S. and NATO officially concluded their combat mission in Afghanistan in 2014, shifting to a counterterrorism and support role. According to the Associated Press, Afghan security forces have struggled to combat the Taliban and an Islamic State affiliate.

The Islamic State claimed to have been behind two bombings in Kabul on Monday that killed 25 people, including nine reporters.  The BBC claims one of the reporters killed was one of their own.

The attack was the deadliest to target journalists since the fall of the Taliban in 2001.