Seven Afghan troops go AWOL in US, raising suspicion of links to bombings

Seven Afghan soldiers who were training in the US went missing during the month of September and are currently being sought by the immigration authorities, Pentagon spokesman Patrick Evans said. Three of the seven at a training base went AWOL on the day that Ahmed Khan Rahami, a son of Afghan immigrants to the US, detonated explosive devices in New York and New Jersey. The disappearance raised concerns that the three could be connected to Rahami, to the bombings or to the planning of other attacks. A special investigation team including representatives of the American intelligence services as well as the military, police and immigration authorities are searching for the seven, who underwent training described as "sensitive" at US bases.