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The Taliban on Wednesday released dramatic footage of their handover of army sergeant Bowe Bergdahl to US forces after five years in captivity.
“Don’t come to Afghanistan again. Next time, nobody will release you,” one of the gun-toting militants is heard telling Bergdahl in the 17-minute video.
It shows a US military helicopter landing in a valley, kicking up small clouds of dust as a jittery-looking Bergdahl waits just a few feet away flanked by militants clutching a white flag.

After a brief exchange of handshakes between insurgents and US soldiers, Bergdahl moves unsteadily towards the helicopter.
 
Bergdahl - the only US soldier held by the Taliban after being captured in Afghanistan - was freed on Saturday in exchange for five senior Taliban militants detained at Guantanamo Bay in a deal brokered by Qatar.
His release has evoked sharp criticism from some US politicians, who fear they could return to the battlefield and pose a threat to Americans abroad.
The Taliban video, entitled “Ceremony of the American soldier exchange”, at one point also displays the words “Don’t Come Back to Afghanistan” superimposed over footage of Bergdahl.
A male voiceover in the video - laced with religious music and chants of “Allahu Akbar” (God is greatest) - said the exchange occurred in the eastern Afghan province of Khost.
“The Americans contacted us and asked us where was a good place to meet. We contacted tribal elders to come and join us, because we do not trust them (Americans),” the voiceover said.
“I congratulate all the mujahideen for this victory.”
The authenticity of the video could not be independently verified.
US defence officials have said dozens of US special forces troops backed up by helicopters were sent for the handover.
“Fortunately, no shots were fired,” Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel said on Sunday. “There was no violence. It went as well as we not only had expected and planned, but I think as well as it could have.”
Bergdahl is now being treated at a US military facility in Germany.
The US military’s top officer General Martin Dempsey said Tuesday that Bergdahl may be disciplined if the army holds him guilty of misconduct, after claims from members of his unit that he had been captured in 2009 after abandoning his post.


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Taliban

Taliban release video of US soldier Bowe Bergdahl’s handover in Afghanistan

Bergdahl is lead to the meeting point. Photo: AP

A Blackhawk helicopter waits as Bergdahl is led to the American military during his release at the Afghan border. Photo: Reuters

Taliban prisoner Bowe Bergdahl faces battle to adapt to freedom in US

A sign welcoming Bowe Bergdahl's release by the Taliban sits in the window of a shop in his home town of Hailey, Idaho. Photo: AFP

Afghan government protests against US deal to free Taliban prisoners

US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel said Bergdahl would be given "all the support he needs to help him recover'. Photo: Reuters

Bob Bergdahl, father of US Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, speaks during a news conference in Boise, Idaho. Photo: Reuters

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World

The Taliban on Wednesday released dramatic footage of their handover of army sergeant Bowe Bergdahl to US forces after five years in captivity.


Taliban release video of US soldier Bowe Bergdahl’s handover in Afghanistan

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The Taliban on Wednesday released dramatic footage of their handover of army sergeant Bowe Bergdahl to US forces after five years in captivity.

The Taliban on Wednesday released dramatic footage of their handover of army sergeant Bowe Bergdahl to US forces after five years in captivity.