| Afghan security forces helped by NATO-led peacekeeping troops seized nine suspected militants and a weapons cache after a raid near Kabul, a military spokesman said on Wednesday. The nine men, whose names and nationalities were not disclosed, were arrested on Monday after Afghan intelligence agents and NATO troops raided two compounds packed with a "substantial quantity of explosives" in Chahar Asiab south of Kabul, the spokesman said. "The raids resulted in a total of nine arrests and were carried out without injury," Lieutenant Commander Ken Mckillop told a news briefing in Kabul. "In addition to the substantial quantity of explosives, National Directorate of Security (NDS) also uncovered a large quantity of narcotics," he added. The spokesman did not say to whom the suspects were affiliated. An Afghan intelligence official who asked to not be named confirmed the arrests but declined to provide further details, saying an investigation was underway. Taliban militants have frequently used explosive devices in their attacks against coalition, NATO and Afghan forces. |