The US soldier released by the Taliban after five years has told military officials that he was tortured, beaten and held in a cage by his captors in Afghanistan after he tried to escape.

The former pastor of the parents of a US soldier released from Taliban captivity after nearly five years says they have been “really hurt” by claims that he was a traitor and the outpouring of anger towards their family.

A new video released by the Taliban today showed the only known US serviceman held captive in Afghanistan still alive after nearly 18 months.

The Taliban released a video today showing a US soldier who was captured more than five months ago in eastern Afghanistan.

The Taliban released a video today purporting to show a US soldier who was captured more than five months ago in eastern Afghanistan.