A 26-year-old Hilo soldier was killed in Afghanistan after a roadside bomb detonated near his vehicle, the Army said in a news release.

Sgt. Jasper K. Obakrairur died Monday in Nerkh from injuries he suffered from the bomb. He was a team leader with the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division in Fort Drum, N.Y., according to a news release.

Obakrairur deployed to Afghanistan in January. He joined the Army in March 2004 and served at Fort Drum since August of that year. According to the Fort Drum Daily News Web site, Obakrairur was a native of Palau.

His numerous awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the NATO Medal and Combat Infantry Badge.

Obakrairur was a graduate of the Combat Life Savers Course and Warrior Leader Course. He previously deployed to Afghanistan from January 2006 to May 2007.

Obakrairur is survived by his mother, father and sister.