DHAKA: Jordan’s King Abdullah II has promised to fight back hard against Islamic State, saying that the death of a Jordanian pilot at the militants’ hands will not be in vain.

The remarks were made as the king held a crisis meeting with security chiefs, reports BBC.

He cut short a US trip after IS posted a video showing pilot Moaz al-Kasasbeh being burned alive.

Jordan executed two convicts, including failed female suicide bomber Sajida al-Rishawi, in response.

Lt Kasasbeh was seized after crashing during a bombing mission by the US-led coalition over Syria in December.

Jordan had sought to secure Lt Kasasbeh’s release in a swap involving Rishawi, but IS is believed to have killed him a month ago.

BDST: 0913 HRS, FEB 05, 2015