An American contractor was captured by Taliban in the eastern province of Khost province last week, Newsweek reported.

Mark R. Frerichs of Lombard, Illinois, was kidnapped last Friday, US officials told Newsweek, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the details publicly.

According to his Linkedin account, Frerichs, 57, is a former US Navy diver and the managing director for International Logistical Support, a US government contractor.