One American killed, two wounded in battle in Afghanistan
U.S. Special Ops unit takes causalities during combat in the Helmand Province
One U.S. special operations soldier was killed and another was wounded while fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan Tuesday, a U.S. defense official confirmed to Fox News.
One other person wounded is an American service member, but not a special ops soldier, and was believed to be inside the U.S. military “medevac” helicopter that landed nearby, according to that official.
U.S. forces were engaged in a "train, advise and assist" mission in Afghanistan, according to Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook. He did not give any other details about the mission.
Cook said the battle was still ongoing around the helicopter late Tuesday in Afghanistan. He said some Afghan troops were also hurt.
"We are deeply saddened by this loss," said Brig. Gen. Wilson A. Shoffner, United States Forces-Afghanistan spokesman. "On behalf of General Campbell and all of USFOR-A, our heartfelt sympathies go out to the families and friends of those involved."
The helicopter landed in Helmand Province in the city of Marjah to get wounded U.S. and Afghan troops out of the area, but sustained damage from a mortar attack.
The Taliban in recent weeks have focused their efforts on retaking parts of Helmand, and the U.S. has countered with U.S. special operations forces working with Afghan troops.
The helicopter is currently on the ground due to damage sustained in the attack. A U.S. Army spokesman told Reuters that the helicopter suffered mechanical malfunctions.
Fox News' Lucas Tomlinson and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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