U.S. Soldier Is Killed During Push Against Taliban in Afghanistan<br />Officials in Helmand said that Private Kirkpatrick died during efforts by Afghan commandos, supported by American air power<br />and Special Operations forces, to target Taliban fighters who were preparing to launch further attacks on Lashkar Gah.<br />Nawa District, just outside Lashkar Gah, fell to the Taliban last year,<br />and the Afghan forces advised by the Marines have been preparing an operation to retake the district.<br />Abdul Karim Attal said that Over the past three days, a joint effort is underway to disrupt the momentum of the Taliban in Nawa District,<br />because Nawa is becoming a growing threat for the capital of Helmand,<br />Around 8,800 American troops are now in Afghanistan, serving a dual mission of training<br />and advising Afghan forces against a resurgent Taliban and carrying out counterterrorism missions.<br />By MUJIB MASHALJULY 5, 2017<br />KABUL, Afghanistan — An American soldier was killed<br />and two others were wounded in the southern Afghan province of Helmand, the United States military said in a statement on Wednesday.
