US soldiers killed in Sherzad shootout identified

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): The Pentagon has identified the two special operations soldiers killed in a shootout in the Sherzad district of eastern Nangarhar Province.

Sgt. 1st Class Javier J. Gutierrez, 28, of San Antonio, Texas and Sgt. 1st Class Antonio R. Rodriguez, 28, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, lost their lives in the latest green-on-blue attack.

At least six others were injured in the clash, as US and Afghan troops engaged with influential figures within the local community in Sherzad district.

Gutierrez and Rodriguez, who were both posthumously promoted, were apparently shot dead by an Afghan soldier, who opened fire on a combined US-Afghan special operations team.

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