According to news reports out of Pakistan, a U.S. drone attack has reportedly killed the militant commander believed to be holding Idaho soldier Bowe Bergdahl captive.
The strike dealt a blow to the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani Network.
The New York Times, Reuters, the AP and other international news outlets cite Pakistani intelligence officials. They say the drone attack in the northern border region near Afghanistan killed at least six people, including Mullah Sangeen Zadran. He's considered a terrorist by the U.S.
The State Department links Sangeen to multiple kidnappings and attacks in Afghanistan.
Sangeen appeared in a 2010 Taliban video with Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl of Idaho. Bergdahl was captured in the summer of 2009 near his base in Afghanistan. Reports indicated he was moved across the border into Pakistan, where he remained a prisoner of the Haqqani Network.
It's not immediately clear what Sangeen's death will mean for Bergdahl. The soldier from Hailey, Idaho, was expected to be offered up in a prisoner swap if peace negotiations between the Taliban and the U.S. re-start.
On the Web:
Designation of Haqqani Network Commander Sangeen Zadran - US State Department
Copyright 2021 Northwest News Network. To see more, visit Northwest News Network. 9(MDA1MTkyNjA1MDEyNzM1MTQ0ODk3NTA1NA004))
