Afghan Taliban Releases Video of Captured American Soldier

Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan have released a video that shows an American soldier who went missing from his base on June 30.U.S. officials confirmed Sunday that the man in the video is the captured soldier. They identified him as 23-year-old Private Bowe Bergdahl from the state of Idaho and say the U.S. military is doing everything in its power to return him to safety.

Bergdahl speaks English to his captors and the camera in the 28-minute video, posted to a Taliban Web site Saturday. He tells Americans with loved ones fighting in Afghanistan - in his words - "to make our government bring them home."

U.S. military officials in Afghanistion denounced the video's release, saying the use of a captive soldier for propaganda purposes is "against international law."

In the video, Bergdahl says the date is July 14. The date cannot be verified.

A Taliban commander in southeastern Afghanistan said Thursday he will kill Bergdahl, unless the U.S. military stops operations in Paktika and Ghazni provinces.

Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman Zamary Bashari said efforts are ongoing to secure the release of Bergdahl. But he would not say whether officials believe the captive soldier is still in Afghanistan or if militants have shifted him to hideouts in Pakistan.

U.S. officials say the soldier was captured last month after he left his base camp in Paktika with three Afghans.