US Service Member Killed in Afghanistan's Helmand Province by IED

A U.S. service member was killed Tuesday in Afghanistan by an improvised explosive device.

The service member's patrol hit the IED near the city of Lashkar Gar, in Helmand province. It injured one other U.S. service member and six Afghan soldiers, NBC News reported.

The person who died hasn’t been identified, but may be pending notification of family. The person was part of a foot patrol that was clearing IEDs.

"Our deepest sympathies go out to the families and friends of those involved," said General John W. Nicholson, commander of U.S. and NATO forces in the country. "We are deeply saddened by this loss, but remain committed to helping our Afghan partners provide a brighter future for themselves and their children."

The wounded service member was reported in stable condition, according to the BBC.

Tuesday's death is the first combat fatality in Afghanistan since January, USA Today reported. The incident is under investigation.

About 100 U.S. special operations forces arrived in Helmand province Monday to train and advise Afghan forces as NATO scrambles to reinforce the area against Taliban forces.

The service member killed Tuesday was not part of that group, though it was unclear what unit the person was from, The Washington Post reported.

The Taliban has launched multiple offenses across Afghanistan during the summer and is thought to control about 50 percent of Helmand province, the Post said.

Helmand province is considered the birthplace of the Taliban.

The U.S. ended its major combat mission in Afghanistan in 2014. Last month, President Obama announced the U.S. would maintain 8,400 U.S. troops in the country, rather than follow through with a planned reduction in troops, the BBC said.

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