US SPECIAL Forces soldiers carried out a daring night-time raid to free a kidnapped American in Afghanistan - the first known hostage rescue by American forces in the troubled country.

The American, who was abducted in mid-August, had been held in a growing insurgent stronghold 30 miles west of Kabul, American military officials revealed today.

They said several insurgents were killed in last week's mission to free the man, who worked for the Army Corps of Engineers.

Taliban militants have kidnapped dozens of international aid workers, journalists and other foreigners in recent years and have demanded large ransoms or the release of imprisoned Taliban fighters for their freedom.

Increasingly aggressive crime syndicates have also raked in big money by kidnapping wealthy Afghans and foreigners and demanding ransoms.

Rescues are rarely attempted and are hard to pull off.

Last week's rescue came to light after US military officials decided to seek publicity from the successful outcome. But officials would not reveal any details or the captive's identity, saying they did not want to compromise tactics or the hostage's safety. Special Forces troops located the kidnappers' hideaway in the Nirkh district of Wardak province, outside Kabul.

It was not known whether any ransom demands were made.

"This guy didn't have any money at all. It was like a personal life mission for him to help others," said Bruce J Huffman, a spokesman for the Corps in Afghanistan.

"We all felt sick about it. He's over here helping people and they're trying to make a buck off him."

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