Taliban claim one missing US soldier dead, other held hostage

http://www.timesofearth.com/ The Taliban have offered to exchange the body of a U.S. Navy member they said was killed in an ambush two days ago in exchange for insurgent prisoners, an Afghan official said Sunday.

U.S. and NATO officials confirmed that two American Navy personnel went missing Friday in the eastern province of Logar, after an armored sports utility vehicle was seen driving into a Taliban-held area.

In a telephone interview Sunday with The Associated Press, Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said the pair drove into an area under insurgent control, prompting a brief gunfight in which one American was killed and the other was captured. He said both were taken to a "safe area" and "are in the hands of the Taliban."

Mujahid made no mention of any offer to exchange the pair for Taliban prisoners. A local Afghan officials said the Taliban sent a message through intermediaries offering to hand over the body in exchange for jailed insurgents.

Abdul Wali, the head of the provincial governing council, said local authorities responded by saying, "Let's talk about the one that is still alive." The insurgents said they would have to talk to superiors before making any deal.

Hundreds of posters of the two missing sailors have been hung at checkpoints throughout Logar province where NATO troops are stopping vehicles, searching people, peering inside windows and searching trunks.

The posters, with photographs of the missing sailors, state: "This American troop is missing. He was last seen in a white Land Cruiser vehicle. If you have any information about this solider, kindly contact the Logar Joint Coordination Center," run by coalition and Afghan forces. A phone number is listed along with information about a $20,000 reward being offered for information leading to their location.

The photographs show one clean-shaven sailor wearing a soft cap and another with short-cropped hair, wearing a blue civilian shirt and a white undershirt.

"Last night coalition helicopters were flying patrols," said Din Mohammed Darkish, spokesman for the provincial governor of Logar. "Our latest, accurate information reports are that they are still in the area."

He said the governor's office was upset because the two Americans left their base without notifying Afghan security forces in Logar.

"Normally, when Americans are leaving, they inform our security forces.

This was an abnormal situation," Darwesh said.

Earlier Sunday, Muhajid, the Taliban spokesman, told the AP that he had no information about U.S. sailors in Taliban hands. He said he would look into the reports. He claimed responsibility in a subsequent conversation.
AP

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Taliban
• missing
• US
• trooper
• dead
• other
• captured

[Gorry760]

@MrJamon79 I like the way you think man and I hope you do kill a bunch of those towel head fucks. Be safe out there long live U.S.A and AUSTRALIA BROTHER.

[MrJamon79]

hey i agree it was a stupid thing to do but im saying he is ahero for taking the step and actually going over there that is brave in itself they are all heroes in my book, i have to wait another shitty 6 months just to get into the australian army over here i want to go get me some revenge for 9-11 also

[truffyt]

@MrJamon79 Dude, I support the war and those participating in it (on our side that is), but how does walking off base, possibly drunk, with only two Afghans and ending up taken prisoner whilst the ANAs were killed, qualify as heroism? Could definitely have been averted if they'd been a larger group, or chosen not to stray so far off from base that their buddies couldn't even hear the shooting.

[deedansir]

Well its a war ain't it

What do u expect

What's the news broadcaster GOT his knickers in a twist

[MrPaulpriest]

@unknownunkownunkown They do not love America love the U.S. dollar! That's what matters! I love you dollars!

[unknownunkownunkown]

@MrPaulpriest funny considering millions of Latin Americans risk death just to get to America. Yep, they sure do hate America they would like nothing less than to see it burn

[MrJamon79]

also i hope you get back to your home land sargeant bowe bergdahl you are a hero just for holding it together aswell as you have reflects your true courage in the face of such madness. Also you latin american fuck who commented before i am australian and i consider the US our brothers u would never understand that cause you are in some poxy neutral country, you should not insult the US anyway remember us aussies are there, french, brits, canadians, dutch were evcen bloody georgia entered it, FU

[MrJamon79]

How dare you talk badly about these 2 brave warriors, i hope your cocks rot off you scum bag peices of allahs shit! suck allahs dick you fucking towel headed freaks we are going to rape and destroy everything you believe in, im training to be australian army and im going to kill all you fucks i encounter with extreme prejudice, the united states are our brothers and an insult to them is an insult to us. You faggots cant even fight a conventional war or wear uniforms because you are dam cowards!

[baindizzle]

lmfaooooooo FUCK USGAY I HOPE THEY RAPE THAT GUY N THROAT FUCK HIM2HDEATH HAHAHAHAHAHAHA FUCK THE DEAD ONE TOO BITCH UFCK GATY FUCKSY ALLA!!!!

[MrPaulpriest]

@Zamphium You've said it all! ie you are American then you are also a cowardly son of a bitch! I am Latin American and the United States want to rot in hell!