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Taliban Claim to Have 'Drunk' US Captive; 7 Soldiers Killed

Taliban also confirms capture of missing US soldier

By the Associated Press

Posted Jul 6, 2009 2:44 PM CDT
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(AP) – Seven American troops lost their lives in the stepped-up battle against the Taliban today, the deadliest day for US forces in Afghanistan in nearly a year. The Taliban also confirmed on its website that it is holding an American soldier thought to be in enemy hands. “Five days ago, a drunken American soldier who had come out of his garrison named Malakh was captured by mujahedeen,” the announcement reads. “He is still with mujahedeen.” The short message did not elaborate on his whereabouts or their plans for him, nor did it provide proof of the claim.

Four American soldiers killed in the north died in a roadside bombing of their vehicle in Kunduz province. The soldiers were training Afghan forces, a US military official said. Two Americans were killed in a roadside blast in southern Afghanistan, and one more died of wounds in a firefight with militants in the east.

A destroyed vehicle is seen at the site of a suicide attack in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital of Helmand province.
A destroyed vehicle is seen at the site of a suicide attack in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital of Helmand province.   (AP Photo)
Map locates Kunduz province, Afghanistan, where four US soldiers were killed and locates Kandahar province, Afghanistan, site of a suicide bombing.
Map locates Kunduz province, Afghanistan, where four US soldiers were killed and locates Kandahar province, Afghanistan, site of a suicide bombing.   (AP Photo)
US Marines from the 2nd MEB, 1st Battalion 5th Marines patrol in a village in the Nawa district in Afghanistan's Helmand province.
US Marines from the 2nd MEB, 1st Battalion 5th Marines patrol in a village in the Nawa district in Afghanistan's Helmand province.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 17 comments
RogerMohajir
Jul 7, 2009 12:38 PM CDT
Good analysis, Deebles. I guess the trick is to stay nimble enough to keep the rope from being wrapped around one's neck and pulled tight...
Shannonals
Jul 7, 2009 12:19 PM CDT
RogerMohajir, your ignorance of world affairs amazes me. You act as if there were no American soldiers on Afghanistan soil prior to the 2009 election. The strategy you described above is exactly how our troops were placed in harm in the first place.
kokuaguy
Jul 7, 2009 8:12 AM CDT
Why'd ya have ta do it, raht thaaang? This wonderful thread was on track to be the most intelligent, informative, civilized and epithet free debates among the newser regulars that I have ever seen. I forgive you for the "I" word, however. It came not as the usual shoot from the hip reaction, but only after you'd offered a series of good faith attempts to argue your point with logical assertions--the give and take just would not have been the same without you, raht thaaang, and it's the reason why "I just caint quit you !!! "

Copyright 2012 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

 
Afghanistan • Taliban • US military • roadside bomb • hostage • mujahedeen • American soldiers • capture

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