U.S.-led coalition forces in eastern Afghanistan say they have captured an alleged bomb-making expert with links to al-Qaida.
A coalition statement says Afghan and coalition troops detained Mullah Mahmood Tuesday in a raid on a compound near the eastern city of Jalalabad in Nangarhar province.
The U.S.-led coalition says Mahmood was caught while disguised in a burqa (a head-to-toe veil worn by women). Coalition officials accused the man of being an explosives expert and logistics officer for the Tora Bora Front.
The coalition also says five suspected militants were detained in the eastern province of Khost this week.
Afghan defense officials Wednesday said four Taleban insurgents were killed in the Kajaki district of Helmand Province Tuesday, the first day of a major NATO offensive in the region.
Thousands of NATO forces are hunting for Taleban militants and drug traders in the restive southern province.
NATO says the offensive, dubbed Operation Achilles, eventually will include 4,500 NATO soldiers and 1,000 Afghan troops.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP.
