Philippines News Agency
KABUL — The U.S. forces on Sunday freed an American medic kidnapped by the Taliban four days ago in Sarobi, a suburban area some 50 km east of capital Kabul, the U.S. forces confirmed in a statement issued here.
“United States Forces-Afghanistan (USFOR-A) rescued a U.S. citizen, Dr. Dilip Joseph, today during an operation in eastern Afghanistan,” the statement said.
Joseph was abducted on Dec. 5 by Taliban insurgents in the vicinity of Sarobi district in Kabul province, it said.
“Today’s mission exemplifies our unwavering commitment to defeating the Taliban,” said Gen. John R. Allen, the top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan.
“I’m proud of the American and Afghan forces that planned, rehearsed and successfully conducted this operation. Thanks to them, Dr. Joseph will soon be rejoining his family and loved ones,” he said.
Allen ordered the mission when intelligence showed that Joseph was in imminent danger of injury or death, the statement said, adding “Joseph is now undergoing evaluations.”
The Taliban insurgent group, which has been waging an insurgency of more than one decade, launched in May this year an annual rebel offensive against Afghan security forces and about 100,000 NATO forces stationed in the country.
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