Afghanistan continues to be dangerous place: US

WASHINGTON: Afghanistan continues to be a dangerous place, the White House said today as an American soldier was killed and two others were injured in a fighting in the war-torn country.

"This does underscore that Afghanistan is a dangerous place and that our men and women in uniform who continue to serve our country there are putting themselves at risk for our own national security," the White House Press Secretary, Josh Earnest, told reporters at his daily news conference.

He was responding to questions on Pentagon's statement that one US service member died as a result of wounds sustained during operations near Marja in Helmand Province of Afghanistan. Two other US service members were also wounded.

The fighting reflects intensified efforts by the US and its Afghan partners to push back against recent Taliban gains.

"I can tell you that the President has been briefed about the ongoing incident in Afghanistan," he said.

"Certainly, our thoughts and prayers are with the family of this individual who was killed today," Earnest said.