U.S. special forces rescue hostage in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. special forces in Afghanistan last week rescued a kidnapped American civilian in a night raid on an insurgent stronghold west of Kabul, U.S. military officials said on Thursday.

The American, who was not identified, was abducted in mid-August while working for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Officials said special forces units, acting on an intelligence lead, freed the captive on October 15 in Wardak province.

The mission was conducted in cooperation with the Afghan government and Afghan security forces were involved, the officials said.

"He was in fairly good physical condition when they found him," said one military official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the rescue.

Officials said they believe the man has since returned to the United States.

As violence rises in Afghanistan, kidnapping has become a lucrative business. Scores of Afghans and foreigners have been abducted by criminals or Taliban militants in recent years.

The military official said he was unaware of any previous hostage rescue by U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

The Army Corps of Engineers is helping to build roads and provide other services in Afghanistan in an effort to stimulate economic development in the impoverished country, where violence has soared over the past two years.

(Reporting by David Morgan; Editing by Vicki Allen)