Taliban claim capture of 2 Americans

An air and ground search continues for two U.S. navy service members who disappeared in eastern Afghanistan amidunconfirmed reports that one or both were captured by the Taliban.

The twofailed to report back after leaving their compound in Kabulon Friday afternoon, NATO officials said. Vehicles and helicopters have been sentto search for the two.

Afghan NationalPolice officials reportedseeing two U.S. soldiers driving around in an armoured vehicle in the nearby province of Logar. Police said they tried to wave down the Americans but theydrove on and went into a bazaar, CBC's Cameron MacIntosh reported from Afghanistan.

Officials saythe two were later ambushed by insurgents as theytried to drive away.

MacIntosh said local reports are conflicting, with some suggesting the Taliban have claimed they abducted both Americans and other reports saying one Americanmay have beencaptured and the other killed.

NATO will not verify the reports relating to the claims of the Taliban or the Afghanpolice, saying only that its looking for its missing people. Butthe U.S. is broadcasting local radio ads offering a $20,000 US reward for the return of two members.

The Talibanhave exaggerated reports of kidnapping Americans in the past, MacIntosh said.

Specialist Bowe Bergdahl of Hailey, Idaho, was captured by the Taliban inJune 2009. Heis the only known American inthe Taliban'shandsand has appeared in videosposted on Taliban websites.

The disappearance of the navy service members comes after five U.S. troops died in roadside bombings in the south four in a single blast. A fifth service member was killed in a separate attack in the south where international forces are stepping up the fight againstinsurgents.