Captive U.S. Soldier Bowe Bergdahl 'Recaptured By Taliban After Three Days On The Run

[Ryan Ruck]

Captive U.S. Soldier Bowe Bergdahl 'Recaptured By The Taliban After Three Days On The Run Following Daring Escape'

December 11, 2011


Bowe Bergdahl, left, appeared without beard despite captors' claim he has converted to Islam in the latest video released by the Taliban last May

A U.S. soldier held by the Taliban since 2009 has been recaptured after he went on the run for three days.

Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl's daring escape failed when a manhunt was launched in Pakistan to find him, Taliban commanders said.

He is now facing his third Christmas in captivity.

Sgt Bergdahl made the attempt in late August or early September, after several months when his jailers became more trusting of him.

It is thought he learnt Pashto and converted to Islam to build up a rapport with his captors.

The soldier then reportedly jumped from a first-floor window of a mud-brick house in Pakistan where he was held, and made his escape into underbrush and forested mountains.

His captors found him three days later hiding in a trench, covered with leaves and virtually naked, according to the report.

The sources described Sgt Bergdahl, of Hailey, Idaho, fighting 'like a boxer' when found.

Quoting a Taliban source, The Daily Beast reported that Sgt Bergdahl told his captors that he wanted to find civilian villagers who would help him and notify the U.S..

But that hope proved futile as villagers had long since fled Pakistan's North Waziristan region because of the conflict.

Now he is back in captivity, Sgt Bergdahl is once more restrained at night and being moved frequently to avoid detection by U.S. forces.

Drone strikes have killed several senior militants in the area he is being held and sources say the Taliban is ready to make a deal to release the soldier.

A source told The Daily Beast: 'There's a fear that a dronecould hit the golden [goose].'

Colonel Tim Marsano, an Idaho National Guard spokesman based in Boise, was quoted in the report and has spoken with Sgt Bergdahl's family.

'There is certainly a lot of new information in that article that was news to the Sgt Bergdahl family,' he said. 'Any mother would be glad to hear that her son is alive and well at this point.'

[American Patriot]

Time for our guys to go help him out.

[Backstop]

If I was back in the mil, I'd have no problem having a personal locator implanted.

[American Patriot]

As long as it comes out when I leave.

[Backstop]

Absolutely.

[American Patriot]

This guy is STILL there, we haven't gotten him out yet? What kind of bullshit is this?


US Obtains Video of Sgt Bowe Bergdahl Held Captive by Taliban Since 2009

By Vishakha Sonawane | Jan 16, 2014 10:51 AM EST
U.S. Army Private Bowe Bergdahl watches as one of his captors displays his identity tag to the camera at an unknown location in Afghanistan, July 19, 2009. (Photo : REUTERS/via Reuters TV)



The U.S. military officials have acquired a video of the only American soldier held captive in Afghanistan for almost five years.


U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, 23, was taken prisoner on June 30, 2009, after being deployed in Afghanistan. Later, the Taliban released a video of Bergdhal and claimed they were holding him captive.


The military officials said the video was probably taken last month. In the video Bergdahl appears to be "gaunt," a senior official told Fox News.



According to the Associated Press, a senior official said the video came to light several days ago. Bergdahl, an Idaho native, is now believed to be held somewhere in Pakistan.


The Taliban have demanded release of their senior operatives held at the U.S. detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Previous efforts to free Bergdahl have failed.


"Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl has been gone far too long, and we continue to call and work toward his safe and immediate release. We cannot discuss all the details of our effort, but there should be no doubt that on a daily basis - using our military, intelligence and diplomatic tools - we work to see Sgt. Bergdahl returned home safely," a Pentagon spokesman told CNN.


Bergdhal's family issued a statement after they came to know about the latest video, reported the AP. "Naturally, this is very important to us and our resolve to continue our efforts to bring Bowe home as soon as possible," the statement said. "As we have done so many times over the past four and a half years, we request his captors to release him safely so that our only son can be reunited with his mother and father. Bowe - If (you) see this, continue to remain strong through patience. Your endurance will carry you to the finish line. Breathe!"