US forces detain 14 rebels in eastern Afghanistan (1st Lead)

Nov 18, 2008, 10:17 GMT

   Kabul - US-led coalition troops detained 14 suspected militants in operations aimed at disrupting the movement of foreign fighters and attacks against international and Afghan forces in eastern Afghanistan, while six soldiers were injured in a mine explosion in the south, officials said Tuesday.

   Six insurgents were arrested Monday at a compound in the Tagab district of Kapisa province, including one alleged Taliban commander, a US military statement said.

   Troops captured four other militants, including a suspected local Taliban commander, during a search the same day of another compound in the Waghez district of Ghazni province, it added.

   In the Zurmat district of neighbouring Paktia province, coalition forces detained four more suspected rebels, including targeted al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters, during operations Monday, according to the US military.

   The statement said the detainees were suspected of coordinating and aiding the movement of foreign fighters to carry out attacks in the region.

   The Afghan Defence Ministry said six Afghan National Army soldiers were hurt Tuesday in an explosion in Kandahar province.

   'The Afghan army soldiers were on patrol in Zirai district when their vehicle hit a mine, in result five soldiers were injured,' a ministry statement said.

   'The injured soldiers were shifted to hospital for treatment.'