Limited information at this time, but here is what MNF-I is reporting:
MNF-I—A Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldier was listed as duty status-whereabouts unknown Oct. 24 in Baghdad at approximately 7:30 p.m.
Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces immediately responded to attempt to locate the Soldier, the search is ongoing. …
Keep this soldier in your prayers.
(Update 10/24/2006 8:34pm):
Here’s the latest from Multinational Corps Iraq:
Multinational Corps Iraq—Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers are searching for U.S. soldier missing since yesterday evening. Officials have not released the soldier’s name.
Soldiers from the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team and the 4th Infantry Division’s 4th Brigade Combat Team, along with the Iraqi National Police, mounted an intensive effort to locate the soldier by using all means available, including attack aviation elements and unmanned aerial vehicles.
“We will leverage all available coalition resources to find this soldier,” Army Maj. Gen. James D. Thurman, commander of Multinational Division Baghdad, said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones, and we are working for his safe return.”
The soldier was last seen inside the International Zone around 2:30 p.m. Monday. He is assigned as a linguist with duty at Provincial Reconstruction Team Baghdad.
Officials believe the soldier left the International Zone to visit with family. He was reportedly at a relative’s house when three cars pulled up to the residence. Men with dark-colored rags over their noses and mouths handcuffed the soldier and forced him into one of the vehicles, witnesses reported.
The kidnappers, using the soldier’s cell phone, reportedly contacted the soldier’s relative, who claimed to be at the residence when the abduction occurred. After being notified of the telephone contact, Multinational Division Baghdad leaders immediately began looking for the soldier.
Throughout the night, coalition and Iraqi security forces conducted targeted raids on suspected locations. The raided locations included the Al Farat TV station and the Sadid al Dris Mosque, U.S. officials said.
Coalition forces and Iraqi police used checkpoints to close down roads and bridges in central Baghdad and are searching vehicles attempting to leave the area. Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers have searched several houses and buildings in the area.
Operations to locate the missing Soldier will continue until the Soldier is found, officials said. The soldier is officially considered as “duty status whereabouts unknown.”
(Update 10/25/2006 6:12pm):
Special Iraqi Army forces have captured a death-squad leader and three people believed to be involved in the kidnapping:
MNF-I— Special Iraqi army forces, aided by coalition advisors, captured a death squad leader and three people believed to have been involved in the kidnapping of a U.S. soldier in separate raids in the Iraqi capital’s Sadr City neighborhood, military officials reported.
Officials said Iraqi and coalition forces had credible intelligence on the location of an insurgent leader personally involved in and directing widespread death squad activity for numerous murder cells in eastern Baghdad. The ground assault force also planned to act on credible intelligence indicating that criminals involved in the kidnapping of a U.S. soldier were located in a Sadr City mosque.
Iraqi forces quickly secured the insurgent’s home in Sadr City and detained 10 suspected death squad members. The assault force suppressed enemy small-arms fire, and a supporting coalition aircraft neutralized enemy rocket-propelled grenade fire. Ten enemy fighters were killed and two were wounded, officials said.
The ground assault force left the site of the first raid and moved through Sadr City to the mosque where the kidnapping suspects were believed to be located. Iraqi forces secured the mosque, entered it, and detained three suspects for further questioning.
No Iraqi or coalition forces were reported injured. Hostile conditions prevented an assessment of civilian casualties, officials said.
