Journalist Reveals Details of Kidnapping and Escape from Taliban
Rohde managed to survive and eventually escaped by using a rope to climb over the 15-foot wall surrounding the compound where he was being held in Pakistan.
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October 26, 2009
In a five-part story written for the New York Times, investigative journalist David Rohde has described seven grueling months in the Taliban captivity, which ended in a daring escape in the middle of the night last June.
The story has many of the familiar elements - a western journalist traveling to Afghanistan and Pakistan to research a book being kidnapped by extremist elements and held hostage. Fortunately, unlike many of his predecessors who were killed by the Taliban, Rohde managed to survive and eventually escaped by using a rope to climb over the 15-foot wall surrounding the compound where he was being held in Pakistan.
He is now back in the U.S. thriving as a journalist and sharing his unique insight about the Taliban in the hope of contributing to the Afghanistan debate.
According to media reports, at least 70 foreigners are known have been kidnapped in Afghanistan since 2001, of which 15 have been killed.
U.S. officials in the Middle East say the best way to avoid falling into the hands of the Taliban is to refrain from travelling, especially unaccompanied by security forces, to certain parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan that are under the control of the militants.
Among the many resources that can help survivors of kidnappings live fulfilling and thriving lives is the Trauma Resource Institute, which also accepts donations.
In a five-part story written for the New York Times, investigative journalist David Rohde has described seven grueling months in the Taliban captivity, which ended in a daring escape in the middle of the night last June.
The story has many of the familiar elements - a western journalist traveling to Afghanistan and Pakistan to research a book being kidnapped by extremist elements and held hostage. Fortunately, unlike many of his predecessors who were killed by the Taliban, Rohde managed to survive and eventually escaped by using a rope to climb over the 15-foot wall surrounding the compound where he was being held in Pakistan.
He is now back in the U.S. thriving as a journalist and sharing his unique insight about the Taliban in the hope of contributing to the Afghanistan debate.
According to media reports, at least 70 foreigners are known have been kidnapped in Afghanistan since 2001, of which 15 have been killed.
U.S. officials in the Middle East say the best way to avoid falling into the hands of the Taliban is to refrain from travelling, especially unaccompanied by security forces, to certain parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan that are under the control of the militants.
Among the many resources that can help survivors of kidnappings live fulfilling and thriving lives is the Trauma Resource Institute, which also accepts donations.
