Harsh Warnings About Captured U.S. Soldier

In the hunt for a soldier captured June 30, American forces are trying something new in Afghanistan - directly threatening the Taliban for militants who are holding him, reports CBS News correspondent Mandy Clark.

CBS News has recovered leaflets handed out to locals containing this blunt warning: "If you do not free the American soldier then you will be hunted."

The U.S. military has been heavily criticized by the Afghan government for civilian deaths - 900 have died this year alone. Officials say the new message is not meant to scare the local population.

"That is targeted at the enemy forces that are holding our missing soldier," said Lt. Cmdr. Christine Sidenstricker. "If you are not in that category then it is not directed at you."

CBSNews.com first broke this story Thursday morning in the World Watch blog.

The military says another leaflet meant for locals has been air dropped. This one a simple plea for information on the missing soldier.

The soldier, whose identity is being withheld by the military, was taken just as a major new U.S. offensive against the Taliban got under way. He is a bargaining chip the Taliban home to exploit. They've reacted to the leaflets by threatening to kill him.

"Is there a danger you could aggravate the kidnappers?" Clark asked Sidenstricker.

"Any time we try and communicate with the enemy or the local Afghan people we have to be very careful and we have to really think about what we are saying," Sidenstricker said.

The two leaflets, one threatening and one friendly, could be seen as a good cop, bad cop routine. But the U.S. military makes no apology for their tactics, all they want is their soldier back.