US commando shot in Afghanistan

A sniper shot and wounded a US special forces soldier as he rode in a convoy in eastern Afghanistan, an army spokesman said today.

The soldier, who is in stable condition, was struck in his left thigh yesterday as he travelled near Gardez in Paktia province, Colonel Roger King said at Bagram Air Base.

Soldiers scoured the nearby hills but could not find the gunman. King said the officer’s wound was not life threatening.

US military officials have not said who they believe was behind the attack.

“We are all thankful that we are reporting one person wounded as opposed to somebody getting killed,” King said.

US special forces are deployed throughout eastern and southern Afghanistan to hunt down al-Qaida fugitives and Taliban leaders, who gave refuge to Osama bin Laden and his terrorist network.