Kidnapped American rescued from Taliban, coalition says

By NBC News staff and wire services

KABUL, Afghanistan -- An American citizen abducted by the Taliban five days ago was rescued Sunday in eastern Afghanistan, the U.S.-led military coalition said.

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Dr. Dilip Joseph was captured by Taliban insurgents Wednesday outside the Afghan capital, in the Sarobi district of Kabul province, a statement by the coalition said.

He was rescued in an early morning operation ordered after intelligence showed that the doctor was in imminent danger of injury or possible death, according to a statement.

A non-profit organization called Morning Star Development said in a statement that Joseph worked as its medical adviser and is from Colorado Springs.

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Morning Star said Joseph and two other staff members had been returning from a visit to one of its rural medical clinics when the kidnappers stopped their vehicle. The three were then taken to a mountainous area about 50 miles from the Pakistan border, Morning Star said.

The two other workers were released about 11 hours before Joseph's rescue, Morning Star said. Joseph was taken to Bagram Airfield north of Kabul after his rescue and appeared to be unhurt, the statement said.

On its website, Morning Star describes itself as a non-profit dedicated to community development in Afghanistan.

Gen. John Allen, the top commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, said American and Afghan forces planned, rehearsed and successfully conducted the operation.

"Thanks to them, Dr. Joseph will soon be rejoining his family and loved ones," Allen said.

Details of the rescue operation were not released.