The US Defense Department has confirmed that an American soldier who went missing from his base in Afghanistan has been captured.

It has identified him as a private from Idaho serving with an Alaska-based infantry regiment.

The Pentagon released the name of 23-year-old Bowe Bergdahl on Sunday, a day after he was seen on an online video saying he was scared he would not be able to go home.

Even before his name became public, US defense officials confirmed that the man in that video was the captured soldier.

The soldier gave his name, age and hometown on the video, which was released on a Web site pointed out by the Taliban.

Bergdahl said he was captured, when he lagged behind on a patrol. A Taliban spokesman said the militants holding the soldier haven't yet set any conditions for his release.

(CCTV July 20, 2009)