Afghan officer who fought with US forces rescued

The U.S. military and its allies have rescued a high-profile Afghan national police officer who was being hunted by the Taliban because of his years working with the American military. Mohammad Khalid Wardak and his family were airlifted Wednesday to safety in an undisclosed location. The officer had been in hiding with his wife and four children in Kabul, moving from place to place and unable to get inside the airport where the Taliban controlled the entrances.

He was well-known because of his position as police chief in eastern Afghanistan's Helmand Province and from television appearances, including one in which he challenged the Taliban to a fight. His friends in the U.S. military sought help from members of Congress and the Defense and State departments to rescue Khalid, as they call him, saying he was a brother in arms who helped save countless lives and that he faced certain death if found by the Taliban.

U.S. Army Special Forces Sgt. Major Chris Green, who worked with Khalid in Afghanistan said he was incredibly happy and elated when he learned that Khalid and his family were safe. Khalid's family has applied for refugee status in the U.S. based on fear of persecution, but it's unclear how long that process might take or if they will be approved. Translators, interpreters and others who worked for the U.S. in Afghanistan are eligible to apply for special immigrant visas, but current Afghan military members or police officers are not, supporters say.