Kabul , Afghanistan ( CNN ) -- An elite U.S. special forces team rescued an American doctor who had been abducted in Afghanistan , but lost one of their own members in the mission , officials said . Dr. Dilip Joseph was freed 11 hours after his captors released two other kidnapped staffers of his nonprofit agency , Morning Star Development , the organization said Sunday . Hours later , U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced that `` a U.S. service member was killed in the operation . '' A U.S. official said the man who was shot dead belonged to the Navy 's Special Warfare Development Group , more commonly known as SEAL Team Six . The elite unit is the same one that took part in the raid that killed al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden , but the official did n't know if the fallen service member was involved in that operation . While he did not delve into detail , Panetta said , `` the special operators who conducted this raid knew they were putting their lives on the line to free a fellow American from the enemy 's grip . '' The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force said Joseph was believed to be in imminent danger of injury or death when the rescue mission was launched . `` He gave his life for his fellow Americans , and he and his teammates remind us once more of the selfless service that allows our nation to stay strong , safe and free , '' President Barack Obama said of the slain U.S. service member , who was not immediately identified . There were conflicting reports about who was behind the kidnappings . ISAF said it was Taliban insurgents , while two local Afghan officials told CNN it was smugglers . The kidnapping of Joseph and the two other Morning Star staff members occurred around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday ( 6 a.m . ET ) , as the three men were returning from a rural medical clinic in eastern Kabul province . `` They were stopped and captured while driving , by a group of armed men , '' according to the agency , which sponsors community and economic initiatives in Afghanistan . `` They were eventually taken to a mountainous area about 50 miles from the Pakistan border . '' Tribal leader Malik Samad and district chief Muhammad Haqbeen told CNN that Joseph and an Afghan doctor were abducted near the village of Jegdalek in the Sarobi district , just outside Kabul . Morning Star said negotiations began `` almost immediately '' between the captors , the hostages and the agency 's crisis management team in Kabul and Colorado Springs , Colorado . In addition to U.S. and Afghan authorities , the agency thanked `` Afghan residents ( including ) elders and local leaders who made visits and appeals to the captors advocating for the release of the hostages . '' The `` on-again , off-again '' negotiations lasted three days into Saturday night , when two of the three were released . Morning Star did not release the identities of the two men , citing safety concerns `` because they live and work in the general region . '' The group said one of them belonged to its medical staff and the other was part of the organization 's support staff . The two men got out of the area and eventually were taken to a police station , at which time Morning Star and their families learned they 'd been released . The Afghan doctor 's family paid $ 12,000 to the smugglers , who later released him , Haqbeen and Samad said . For its part , Morning Star stated `` categorically that we paid no ransom , money or other consideration '' to anyone in securing any of its staffers ' release . Sometime Saturday night , military forces rescued Joseph in a mission ordered by Gen. John Allen , commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan . Samad and Haqbeen , the two Afghan officials , said the operation took place in Laghman province . `` Today 's mission exemplifies our unwavering commitment to defeating the Taliban , '' Allen said in a statement . `` I 'm proud of the American and Afghan forces that planned , rehearsed and successfully conducted this operation . Thanks to them , Dr. Joseph will soon be rejoining his family and loved ones . '' Joseph has worked with Morning Star for three years . He serves as its medical adviser , and travels frequently to Afghanistan , the agency said . The doctor appeared to be in `` good condition and uninjured '' at Bagram Airfield after his abduction . Morning Star said `` he will receive precautionary examinations and debriefing before returning to his Colorado Springs home , probably within a few days . '' His family issued a statement Sunday acknowledging `` harrowing '' uncertainty in recent days and extending its `` deepest condolences to the family of the American sailor who died during Dilip 's rescue . '' `` We are incredibly grateful for the multiple agencies of the U.S. government that have supported us in this difficult time , and especially the quick response by our military and partner allies to rescue Dilip , '' the family said . `` They showed great heroism and professionalism . '' Despite the kidnappings of Joseph and its two other staffers , Morning Star reiterated its `` commitment to continue its work '' in Afghanistan . Read more : Low-key general thrust into spotlight as he takes over Afghanistan command . Read more : U.S. has work cut out to make sure Afghan forces are combat ready . Read more : Kazai says assassination try planned in Pakistan . CNN 's Barbara Starr , Maria Ebrahimji , Deborah Doft and Greg Botelho contributed to this report .
NEW : The freed doctor 's family thanks U.S. and allied partners , grieves lost U.S. service member . Dr. Dilip Joseph was among 3 abducted while returning from a rural clinic , officials say . 2 local Afghan leaders say smugglers are responsible ; ISAF blames the Taliban . A U.S. official says the man killed in the rescue was a member of Navy SEAL Team Six .