US Marine in Taliban hands

Denver News.Net
Thursday 2nd July, 2009

A US Marine has been captured by Taliban militants in Afghanistan’s Helmand province.

The Pentagon has said it is the first time one its military personnel has fallen into the hands of the Islamist movement.

The name of the soldier has not been released.

The capture occurred as around 4000 Marines surged into parts of Afghanistan, supported by helicopters and tanks.

One Marine has also been reported killed in an attack on the secluded district of Khanishin.

It is the first major US mission in Afghanistan since President Barack Obama took office in January, when he said he wanted to deal a decisive blow to the Taliban.

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