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Taliban Captures Missing US Soldier

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 2, 2009 6:45 AM CDT

(Newser) – Military officials believe that a US soldier who’s been missing since Tuesday has been captured by the Taliban, the Washington Post reports. The soldier appears to have walked off base into an unsecured area for reasons that remain unclear. Today, the Taliban’s Haqqani faction claimed to have captured him, along with his three Afghan guards. The military declined to release further information, fearing it would further endanger the soldier.

The news broke as a major assault on the Taliban began in Southern Afghanistan today. The roughly 4,000 Marines taking part in that offensive have so far encountered little resistance, though that could change once they begin patrolling towns.

US Marines move in formation through farm fields after landing by helicopter in an overnight night air assault near the Taliban stronghold of Nawa in Afghanistan's Helmand province, July 2, 2009. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder)

U.S. Marines board helicopters at Camp Leatherneck for a night air assault in Afghanistan's Helmand province Thursday July 2, 2009. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder)

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Taliban: Prince Harry Shouldn't Kill

'Captain Wales' to return to Afghanistan this year; he'll be Taliban target

US Eyes Switch to Special Ops in Afghanistan

Focus to be on training, special missions, not policing

Afghan Civilian Deaths Hit New High

More than 3K killed, mostly by Taliban

Panetta: US Combat Role in Afghanistan Over in 2013

But American, NATO troops will still have 'robust' advisory role

Backed By Pakistan, Taliban Set to Retake Afghanistan

ISI providing direct assistance, says secret NATO report viewed by the BBC

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Afghanistan • Taliban • US military • Afghanistan war • hostage

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Taliban: Prince Harry Shouldn't Kill

'Captain Wales' to return to Afghanistan this year; he'll be Taliban target

US Eyes Switch to Special Ops in Afghanistan

Focus to be on training, special missions, not policing

Afghan Civilian Deaths Hit New High

More than 3K killed, mostly by Taliban

Panetta: US Combat Role in Afghanistan Over in 2013

But American, NATO troops will still have 'robust' advisory role

Backed By Pakistan, Taliban Set to Retake Afghanistan

ISI providing direct assistance, says secret NATO report viewed by the BBC

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?