ISLAMABAD, Feb 27: Afghan troops captured five suspected Taliban during a "clean-up" operation in the country's southern Zabul province, the Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) said on Friday.

Maulvi Mohammed Omar, Zabul's deputy governor, told the agency the arrests were made during recent raids in Meezana district. "We recovered ten Kalashinkovs from the possession of a Taliban fighter who was trying to escape in a head-to-toe scarf," he said.

Maulvi Omar said the five suspects have been sent to Kandahar for interrogation. -DPA