U.S. soldier killed in Afghan rescue
The White House says a U.S. service member was killed in the
rescue mission that freed an American doctor who was kidnapped by
the Taliban,Radio Liberty reported.
The statement described the slain service member as a "special
operator," or highly trained special forces commando.
The statement praised the mission as "characteristic of the
extraordinary courage, skill, and patriotism" shown each day by
U.S. troops.
NATO's International Security Assistance Force said the raid was
launched after intelligence showed that Dr. Dilip Joseph was in
"imminent danger of injury or death."
Officials said at least seven Taliban fighters were killed in the
pre-dawn raid on December 9 in eastern Afghanistan.
Joseph had been abducted December 5 by Taliban insurgents in the
Surobi district of Kabul Province.