US troops have rescued a special forces soldier missing in eastern Afghanistan for almost a week, US officials say.

A four-man special forces unit disappeared in Konar province on 28 June, and a Chinook helicopter looking for them was later shot down.

The rescued soldier was reported to have avoided capture in the days since his disappearance, US officials said.

The US military has said 16 troops died when the Chinook was hit, a “lucky shot” by suspected Taleban fighters.

The downing of the plane was the biggest single US loss of life in Afghanistan since the overthrow of the Taleban government in late 2001.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, US military officials said the soldier had evaded the Taleban in the mountainous region throughout the past week.

Attempts to rescue the four-man team after the Chinook crash had been hampered by bad weather.

Bad weather

There has been no word on the fate of the remaining three members of his team, who have reportedly not made radio contact since their disappearance.

Claims by a Taleban spokesman that they had captured the men have been denied by the US.

Names and details of the 16 troops who died on board the Chinook have already been released by the US military.

Escalating violence in southern and eastern Afghanistan has seen some 500 people, mainly suspected militants, killed in recent weeks.

Civilians have been among the casualties, with the US military conceding that some may have died in a bombing raid on Friday in Konar province.

The US has sent additional troops to the province as part of a new operation – Operation Flier – against militants in the region, ahead of parliamentary elections due in September.