After abduction of US soldier Bowe Bergdahl by Taliban in Afghanistan in 2009,   American troops were prepared to enter Pakistani territory to secure Sergeant’s release.

Islamabad, June 5/Nationalturk – After abduction of US soldier Bowe Bergdahl by Taliban in Afghanistan in 2009, Obama administration had began considering plans for his rescue and at one point of time American troops were prepared to enter Pakistani territory to secure Sergeant’s release .

American influential newspaper, Washington Post quoted David Sedney, a former Pentagon’s top official overseeing policy in Afghanistan and Pakistan, as saying that Bergdahl slipped away from his post in Afghanistan’s Paktika province in June 2009 and fell into Taliban hands.

“He (US Sergeant) was then moved across the border into the tribal areas of Pakistan, where he was held by the Haqqani network,” he said.

‘Possible fix twice on abducted soldier’s location’

The newspaper quoted US officials as saying that at least twice before Bergdahl’s release last week, US officials had a possible fix on where he was being held.

“There was debate in Washington as to whether an incursion inside Pakistani territory should be carried out to release him. Adm. Mike Mullen, then chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and then-CIA Director Leon Panetta were responsible for managing the investigations in Pakistan,” they said.

Sedney said after the operation against Osama bin Laden in Abottabad, matters had become more difficult as US relations with the Pakistani army had already deteriorated.

He said the Pakistani army had issued orders that US helicopters should be shot down if they were seen flying on its territory.

Sedney said they required solid information to devise a strategy in this regard, which was not available at the time.

Therefore, he said, Sergeant Bergdahl remained in the captivity of the Haqqani network for five years.

Sedney was quoted as saying by BBC that when Bergdahl was taken hostage in 2009, the first attempt was to prevent him from being taken to Pakistan.

‘After Bergdahl was taken to Pakistan, it became difficult to negotiate his release’

“Once Bergdahl had been taken to Pakistan, it became difficult to negotiate his release and therefore assistance was sought from the Pakistani military and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI),”he said.

Sedney said they were aware that Bergdahl was held captive by the Haqqani network, adding that the US also knew that a certain relationship existed between the ISI and the Haqqani network.

“I am not aware of receiving any assistance from Pakistan on the matter,” he said.

He said Bergdahl was held captive on Pakistani soil and the organisation which had information of his whereabouts was associated with the country.

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