Taliban shows video of 'captured US soldier'

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

The media arm of the Afghan Taliban announced last week on an affiliated website that a new videotape of Pfc Bowe Bergdahl was forthcoming.

They did not name the American captive, but the only one known is Pfc Bergdahl, a US airborne infantryman who was captured by the Afghan Taliban in Paktika province on June 30.

It could not be confirmed immediately that it was Pfc Bergdahl in the new video, which was released to news organisations.

A man is shown seated, facing the camera, wearing sunglasses and what appears to be a US military helmet and uniform. A caption below the man speaking says: “War prisoner: Bowe Robert Bergdahl.”

On one side of the image it says: “An American soldier imprisoned by the Mujahideen of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.”

The man identifies himself as Pfc Bergdahl, born in Sun Valley, Idaho, and gives his rank, birth date, blood type and mother’s maiden name. He appears healthy and speaks calmly and clearly, and does not appear to be under duress.

Earlier in the video he says, “This is just going to be the next Vietnam unless the American people stand up and stop all this nonsense.”

The video, which has an English-language narration in parts, also shows images of prisoners being abused and says this is not the case with Pfc Bergdahl.

The insurgents also released a video of Pfc Bergdahl a few weeks after he was captured. In the July 19 video, he appeared downcast and frightened.

Pfc Bergdahl was serving with a unit based in Fort Richardson, Alaska, when he vanished just five months after arriving in Afghanistan. He was serving at a base near the border with Pakistan in an area known to be a Taliban stronghold.

US military officials have searched for Pfc Bergdahl, but it is not publicly known whether he is even being held in Afghanistan or neighbouring Pakistan.

Lt Col Tim Marsano, an Idaho National Guard spokesman who has been serving as a liaison between the family and media, said the family had not seen the video since word of its possible release surfaced earlier this month.

He spoke with Bob and Jani Bergdahl, Bowe Bergdahl’s parents, earlier this week and described their mood as “anxiously awaiting” any new information about their son.

“They’re very hopeful that the message will be a positive one, as far as their son’s health and welfare,” Lt Col Marsano said.

He said the family was still not speaking publicly about Pfc Bergdahl’s capture.