NATO-led troops in Afghanistan have arrested three suspected insurgents including a senior combatant allegedly linked to last month's suicide attack in Kabul, the alliance said Thursday, DPA reported.
All three were members of Hezbi Islami, a militant group involved with the Taliban-led insurgency, NATO said. The group is mainly active in the east along the border with Pakistan.
The statement described the senior insurgent as "the media emir" for the group, and said he was arrested along with another in Charikar district of the central province of Parwan on Wednesday.
"He had ties to officials of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan and insurgents who operate in Afghanistan and Pakistan, Taliban media insurgents and improvised explosive device networks in the country," the statement said.
The man, whose name was not given, was thought to be linked to two suicide bombings in Kabul, including one on January 28 in a supermarket frequented by foreigners that left eight dead.
The second detainee was allegedly involved in roadside attacks in Kabul and Parwar and had led attacks against Bagram airfield, the biggest US military base north of Kabul, the statement said.
NATO also arrested a third insurgent leader in an operation in eastern province of Khost, it said.