WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Pentagon said on Monday that a U.S. soldier died in a military operation in Afghanistan earlier on Sunday.

In a statement, the Pentagon said Staff Sgt. Reymund Rarogal Transfiguracion, 36, died of wounds sustained "when an improvised explosive device detonated near him while he was conducting combat patrol operations in Helmand Province" to support the Operation Freedom's Sentinel.

Transfiguracion was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

The Pentagon said the incident is under investigation.