KABUL, July 18: The Afghan defence ministry has arrested two members of the former Taliban regime here, a spokesman for Nato-led peacekeeping forces said on Sunday.

Chris Henderson of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) told reporters that the arrest was made last Wednesday afternoon in Kabul near the Olympic stadium.

ISAF troops also supported defence ministry personnel with a sniffer dog team from ISAF's Kabul Multinational Brigade, which was dispatched to the scene to search the suspects and vehicles.

Personnel from the ministry found a small bag of explosives and ignition wires during the search, Henderson said. Meanwhile, Zahir Azimy, spokesman for the defence minister, told reporters that coalition forces also arrested three Taliban suspects in Afghanistan's western Wardak province. -dpa