Militants in Afghanistan are claiming they will execute captured soldier Private First Class Bowe Bergdahl of Hailey, Idaho, if the U.S. does not released a Pakistani woman convicted of murder.
It's believed Bergdahl was taken into captivity on June 30. Bergdahl is said to have befriended some natives while serving his country in Afghanistan and while out with them during his time off, he was taken hostage.
The first video released showing Bergdahl was released by the Taliban weeks after he was taken prisoner.
A second video was rumored for days in December before finally appearing on Christmas.
And now, in February comes an offer of a deal.
The Afghan militants said they will execute the Idaho soldier if the United States does not release a female Pakistani scientist convicted on February 3 of two counts of attempted murder, for trying to kill Americans while she was detained in Afghanistan.
It's tough news for residents of Blaine County to hear.
Their signs of support show requests for Bergdahl to be freed and yellow ribbons adorn the town.
The family is not speaking. They have stayed quiet since the beginning, but Idaho National Guard spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Tim Marsano gave us this statement: "They are dealing with a very difficult situation as best they can, and have been for the past eight months."
Marsano said the news was first released in a Pakistani newspaper. Reports said a militant commander who claims to have been involved in the abduction said Bergdahl has admitted to participating in several raids in Afghanistan and because of that the Islamic court has given him a death sentence.
In conversations with Jim Miklaszewski, NBC's Chief Pentagon Correspondent, he tells KTVB that the U.S. military continues to aggressively search for Bergdahl.
They believe he is being held by the Taliban inside Pakistan, just across the border of Afghanistan.
