afghanistan
© Matt Robinson / Reuters
A US soldier was killed in Afghanistan's Helmand province during an operation against the Taliban, NATO has reported. Another was injured along with 6 Afghan troops.

The US trooper was killed while training Afghan soldiers, when their patrol triggered an Improvised Explosive Device. The injured service member is said to be in hospital in stable condition.

The operation was being conducted near the provincial capital of Lashkar Gar in the south of the country. The report of the soldier's death comes shortly after the US sent 100 troops to Lashkar Gah to train and support Afghan security forces.

The Taliban has made significant advances in the Helmand province over the course of past few weeks, increasing the area under its control to roughly 80 percent, according to local officials.