Zee Media Bureau
Washington: The disappearance of Sgt Bowe Bergdahl had walked away from the unit, a Pentagon investigation report concluded in 2010 after he went missing from his post.
A senior Defence official involved in the incident said that the military then decided to not launch an extraordinary search operation for the missing US soldier, as per AP news report.
The revelations were made shortly after Bergdahl`s release in exchange for the release of five detainees who were sent to Qatar from the US prison at Guantanamo, Cuba, an AP news report stated.
Bergdahl was being checked and treated Monday at a US military hospital in Germany as questions mounted at home over the swap.
The release of five terror suspects stirred a debate on whether the exchange would heighten the risk of other Americans being snatched as bargaining chips and whether the released detainees — several senior Taliban figures among them — would find their way back to the fight.
US officials said Sunday that Bergdahl`s health and safety appeared in jeopardy, prompting rapid action.
"Had we waited and lost him," said national security adviser Susan Rice, "I don`t think anybody would have forgiven the United States government."
She said he had lost considerable weight and faced an "acute" situation. Yet she also said he appeared to be "in good physical condition."
One official, who spoke on grounds of anonymity because the person wasn`t authorized to discuss the subject by name, said there were concerns about Bergdahl`s mental and emotional as well as physical health.
On Monday, a US military hospital in Germany reported Bergdahl in "stable condition and receiving treatment for conditions requiring hospitalization" after arriving from Afghanistan.
(With AP Inputs)
