The US military fatally wounded in an operation against al Qaeda in Afghanistan, according to the army

A 75th Regiment soldier from the ranks of the army was fatally injured by gunfire on Saturday during an operation against Al Qaeda fighters in a remote part of southwestern Iraq. Afghanistan, US military officials said Sunday.

Sgt. Leandro Jasso, 25, was wounded in Khash Rod district, Nimruz province, where the US military does not conduct many operations. The operation was conducted with Afghan forces and ended on Sunday morning, said Major Bariki Mallya, spokesman for the US Army in Afghanistan. Another member of the US military service was injured, he added.

"The loss of Sgt. Jasso is felt by his family and loved ones, by all who have served with him and by all in this mission of protecting our country and our allies, "said General Austin" Scott "Miller, the highest US officer in Afghanistan.

Additional details on the operation were not immediately available. US Special Operations troops continue to raid militant groups in Afghanistan, but Nimruz is generally considered relatively sleepy. However, the region is prone to drug trafficking, which extends from the poppy-rich areas of Helmand and Kandahar provinces to the porous and deserted borders of Pakistan and Iran.

Jasso's death marks the tenth battle fatality for the US military in Afghanistan in 2018, the first full year since President Trump decided in August 2017 to keep about 15,000 US troops in the country and extend the commitment American in the war.

Jasso was a team leader of the Alpha Company of the 2nd Battalion Ranger Regiment, according to an Army press release. The unit is based at the Lewis-McChord Common Base in the state of Washington when it is not deployed.

"Sgt. Jasso was a humble professional who put the mission first, lived the Ranger Creed and will be sorely missed, "said Lieutenant-Colonel Rob McChrystal, commander of the Jasso Battalion.

Jasso was treated on the ground immediately after being shot and was evacuated to the nearest medical center in the nearby Helarm district, Garmsir, US military officials said. The US military has not identified the facility but has a hospital in Garmsir at a base called Camp Dwyer.

Jasso was originally from Leavenworth, Washington, and enlisted in the army in 2012, according to the army. He was in his third deployment with the Rangers and had got the badge of the combat infant, which meant he had been fighting in ground fights.