ISIS fighters in Afghanistan have released photos they claim prove they have captured weapons and equipment that belonged to U.S. soldiers.
The photos, which were published on social media on Saturday, show an American portable rocket launcher, radio, grenades and other gear not commonly used by Afghan troops, as well as close-up views of identification cards for U.S. army soldier Ryan Larson.
The U.S. military command in Kabul denied any suggestion the soldier had been captured, saying he ‘has been accounted for and remains in a duty status within his unit’.
American special operations troops have been fighting alongside Afghan forces in a renewed offensive against militants who claim allegiance to ISIS in Nangarhar province, which borders Pakistan.
‘SPC Larson was attached to a unit conducting a partnered [operation] with Afghan Forces,’ Commander Ron Flesvig, a U.S. military spokesman, said on Sunday.
‘The soldier’s ID and some of the equipment were left behind after the [operation]. The loss of personal identification is unfortunate.’
(Sourced from agencies, Feature image courtesy: defence.pk)