WASHINGTON — One U.S. service member was killed and two were wounded in hours-long fighting Tuesday in southern Afghanistan, where Taliban insurgents have made recent inroads.

The fighting, which reflects intensified efforts by the U.S. and its Afghan partners to push back against Taliban gains, was near the city of Marja, Helmand province, which shares a border with Pakistan. The Taliban in recent weeks have focused their efforts on retaking parts of Helmand, and the U.S. has countered with U.S. special operations forces working with Afghan troops.

Details on the battle were sketchy.

"There is still a fight going on," Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook said hours after the casualties were sustained. "We don't yet have all the details surrounding what has taken place."

An HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter from the 41st Rescue Squadron prepares to land at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., Oct. 14, 2010. The Pave Hawk landed and dropped off pararescuemen during a combat demonstration at the base’s Grand Bay Bombing and Gunnery range. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Benjamin Wiseman)

An HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter prepares to land at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., Oct. 14, 2010.

Photo Credit: Airman 1st Class Benjamin Wiseman/Air Force

He said Defense Secretary Ash Carter was being briefed on the situation by commanders in Afghanistan, but many key details were unclear. Cook said two U.S. helicopters were dispatched to the scene to provide medical evacuation for the U.S. casualties but could not complete the mission. One was waved off after taking fire and returned safely to its base, he said. The other, an Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk, landed safely but was unable to take off because its rotor struck a wall.

Cook said he could not say more about the three U.S. casualties.

"We are deeply saddened by this loss," said Brig. Gen. Wilson A. Shoffner, a spokesman for U.S. forces in Afghanistan. Speaking for Gen. John Campbell, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, Shoffner said, "our heartfelt sympathies go out to the families and friends of those involved."

Associated Press writer Joseph Krauss in Cairo and Air Force Times writer Jeff Schogol contributed to this report.

A U.S. service member has been killed and two others have been wounded in Afghanistan, said Army Col. Michael Lawhorn, a spokesman for Operation Resolute Support.

The fallen service member has not yet been officially identified. The Defense Department does not publicly release the name of fallen troops until 24 hours after their next of kin have been notified.

Details about what happened were not immediately available on Tuesday. It is known that an Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter was flying a MEDEVAC mission to pick up wounded service members around the time of the incident, Lawhorn said. The helicopter is currently experiencing mechanical problems.

"We are deeply saddened by this loss," Army Brig. Gen. Wilson Shoffner, a spokesman for U.S. Forces in Afghanistan, said in a statement. "On behalf of General Campbell and all of USFOR-A, our heartfelt sympathies go out to the families and friends of thoseinvolved."

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