IED kills U.S. service member in Helmand province, Afghanistan

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 (UPI) -- An improvised explosive device killed a U.S. service member on patrol Tuesday in Helmand province, Afghanistan, the U.S. military said.

Another U.S. service member and six Afghan soldiers were injured in the explosion in the city of Lashkar Gar. The U.S. Department of Defense will not reveal the identity of the deceased until next of kin have been notified.

U.S. forces in Afghanistan said an investigation is being conducted.

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

Lashkar Gar is the capital of Afghanistan's Helmand province. On Monday, U.S. forces in Afghanistan announced 100 U.S. troops would be deployed to Lashkar Gar to help security efforts.

"They've gone down there to assist the police zone headquarters and their leadership team with a focused train, advise and assist mission, looking largely at the force protection issue. And this will not be a permanent presence. They will return to their base at some point," Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said about the additional troop deployment on Monday during a press conference.