Taliban insurgents have released a new video of a man identified as U.S. soldier Bowe Bergdahl, who was captured in Afghanistan on June 30.
In the seven-minute video, Bergdahl pleads for his release and return home, saying the war in Afghanistan is not worth the number of lives that have been lost or that have been "wasted" in U.S. prisons. This is the first time Bergdahl has been seen since the Taliban released a video of him on Christmas.
The video reportedly ends with Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid demanding the release of a limited number of prisoners in exchange for Bergdahl.
NATO in Afghanistan issued a statement Thursday, saying the use of Bergdahl as a "means of propaganda is a deplorable act and only fuels our efforts to find him and bring him home." Bergdahl is the only known American service member in captivity.
Separately, Afghan police say they have arrested five would-be suicide bombers planning attacks in the capital. Officials say the men were detained Thursday, while driving in Kabul.
And British defense officials say a British soldier was killed Wednesday in a gunbattle with insurgents in the Nad-e-Ali district of southern Helmand province.
