19-year-old U.S. soldier killed in Afghanistan

July 5 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Defense said a U.S. military serviceman died due to injuries sustained from an indirect fire attack in Afghanistan's Helmand Province.

The Defense Department said 19-year-old Pfc. Hansen B. Kirkpatrick, from Wasilla, Alaska, died Monday. Kirkpatrick was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division out of Fort Bliss, Texas.

The Pentagon said the incident that led to Kirkpatrick's death is under investigation. Kirkpatrick served under the United States' Operation Freedom's Sentinel, the latest phase of the U.S. military effort in the war in Afghanistan.

In June, President Donald Trump granted the Defense Department the authority to manage troop levels in Afghanistan.