2 January 2016: Five former Pakistani Taliban (TTP) fighters who pledged alliance to ISIL, including the former TTP commander in Bajaur tribal agency in Pakistan, Abu Bakr, were killed by a US drone strike, further injuring two militants in the Shaltan Darra area, located in the Shegal district, located in the Kunar province.[13] 5 January 2016: A US Special Forces soldier, Army Staff Sgt. Matthew McClintock, was killed during an hours-long gun battle by Taliban militants, also injuring two other soldiers, in the Marjah district, located in the Helmand province, marking him the first US casualty of 2016.[14][15] 6 January 2016: Twelve US air or drone strikes killed an unknown number of people in the Majah district, located in the Helmand province.[16] 8 January 2016: AAF strikes hit and killed 23 ISIL militants in the Achin and Kot districts, located in the Nangarhar province.[17] 8 January 2016: A US air or drone strike killed 17–20 ISIL militants, including four senior commanders, who were executing seven men (six Taliban militants and one Afghan National Army soldier) at the time, with a large number of civilians forced to watch in the Maktab village, located in the Pekha area, located in Achin District, located in the Nangarhar province. Two civilians were injured and there were possible civilian deaths.[18][19][20][21] 8 January 2016: A US air or drone strike killed an unknown number of people "to eliminate threats to the force" in the Kharkhez district, located in the Kandahar province.[22] 8 January 2016: A US air or drone strike killed an unknown number of people "to eliminate threats to the force" in the Bermal district, located in the Paktika province.[22] 9 January 2016: 20 ISIL militants were killed by a US drone strike in Achin District, located in the Nangarhar province.[23] 9 January 2016: 15 ISIL militants were killed by a US air or drone strike in the Janjal Gondai area, located in the Kot district, located in the Nangarhar province, further injuring three people, including a woman.[22] 9 January 2016: Ten militants from Pakistan were killed by a US air or drone strike in the Shegal district, located in the Kunar province.