News-Info-Alerts

Re: 2 US Soldiers Missing

From: POW-MIA InterNetwork

Date: June 26, 2003

CNN REPORTS "Pentagon officials confirmed that two U.S. soldiers were missing and that an extensive search was being made for them in the Baghdad area. The soldiers were traveling in a military Humvee near a checkpoint in the vicinity of Baghdad when their commanders lost contact with them late Wednesday, officials said.

U.S. officials said a search party went to the vehicle's last known location and encountered an Iraqi man acting strangely. He was being questioned. Nearby Iraqi citizens told U.S. military personnel they had seen another vehicle in the area depart along with the Humvee. Although details were sketchy, officials said they tracked the second vehicle to a building which they searched. A blood trail and civilian clothes were found but it was not clear whether they were related to the disappearance of the soldiers.

It was not clear whether the two had been traveling alone, but recent attacks on U.S. forces has led military officials to urge soldiers increase their security by traveling together in larger groups. A senior Pentagon official said there is no reason to believe the soldiers have fallen into opposition hands but there is concern about their fate."

ABC NEWS REPORTS: " Pentagon officials in Washington said Thursday that two American soldiers apparently have been abducted.

The men and their Humvee were stationed at an observation post near the town of Balad, north of Baghdad, when they were noticed missing Wednesday night, according to officials, speaking on condition of anonymity.

A search by Apache attack helicopters was started as soon as they were noticed missing, one official said, declining to say how their absence was noticed."