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Afghan gov't: Taliban kills 1 US sailor, 1 held
The Taliban have offered to exchange the body of a U.S. Navy member they said was killed in an ambush two days ago in exchange for insurgent prisoners, an Afghan official said Sunday.U.S. and NATO officials confirmed that two American Navy personnel went missing Friday in the eastern province of Logar, after an armored sports utility vehicle was seen driving into a Taliban-held area. Afghan officials believe one was killed and the other captured when they apparently took a wrong turn and ended up in a dangerous area of Logar. Abdul Wali, the head of the provincial governing council, said local authorities responded to the Taliban offer made through intermediaries by saying, "Let's talk about the one that is still alive." The insurgents said they would have to talk to superiors before making any deal. Local media in Logar reported the Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack on the two Americans. However, Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid told The Associated Press on Sunday that that he had no information about U.S. sailors in Taliban hands. He said he was looking into the reports and for the moment is not claiming responsiblity. It appeared that Friday's attack was a spur-of-the-moment decision and that the militants are trying to figure out their next move. The two sailors left their compound in the Afghan capital, Kabul, in a vehicle Friday afternoon, but never returned, NATO said in a statement. Vehicles and helicopters were dispatched to search for them, and NATO launched appeals on local radio stations offering $10,000 rewards for information leading to the return of either one. A NATO official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the event, confirmed the two were Navy personnel, but would not identify their unit to avoid jeopardizing search operations. The official said it was unclear what the two were doing or what would lead them to leave their compound. The official would not say whether the two were on official business. Posted by: tipper 2010-07-25 |
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