KABUL - The US-led coalition said Wednesday it was investigating reports that a soldier was missing in Afghanistan, as the Taleban claimed to have captured a foreign trooper. ‘We have unconfirmed reports that a soldier is missing. We are investigating,’ coalition spokesman Major Chris Belcher told AFP. He could not give any details.
Taleban spokesman Yousuf Ahmadi said the movement had captured a foreign soldier in uniform in the Sangin district of volatile southern Helmand province on Tuesday. ‘One NATO force soldier with a uniform and gun was captured by our mujahedeen (holy warriors),’ Ahmadi told AFP by telephone from an unknown location. He could not yet give the nationality and the name of the captured soldier.
| Of course AFP won't help us with a phone number. |
If confirmed, it would be the first time a foreign soldier has been captured by the Taleban, who have previously abducted foreign journalists and aid workers. |