KABUL: The Taleban released a video Friday showing a US soldier who was captured more than five months ago in eastern Afghanistan.
Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl is the only known American serviceman in captivity. The US airborne infantryman was taken by the Afghan Taleban in Paktika province on June 30. “This is a horrible act which exploits a young soldier, who was clearly compelled to read a prepared statement,” said a statement from US Navy Rear Adm. Gregory Smith, spokesman for the NATO-led international force in Afghanistan that confirmed the man in the video is Bergdahl.
Bergdahl is shown seated, facing the camera, wearing sunglasses and what appears to be a US military helmet and uniform. The man identifies himself as Bergdahl, born in Sun Valley, Idaho, and gives his rank, birth date, blood type, his unit and mother’s maiden name before beginning a lengthy verbal attack on the US conduct of the war in Afghanistan and its relations with Muslims. He seems healthy and doesn’t appear to have been abused.
