An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader in Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand province today, NATO-led International Security Assistance Force said following a statement.

The source further added, the leader controlled an insurgent cell responsible for multiple attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout the region.

At the time of his arrest, the Taliban cell leader was in the process of acquiring heavy weapons and explosives for future attacks. The security force also detained one suspected insurgent during the operation.

Afghan and coalition officials announced yesterday that Haji Shakur, a Taliban leader in Chora and Baluchi districts of Uruzgan province, was one of the suspected insurgents arrested during an operation in Tarin Kot district, Uruzgan province, ISAF said following the statement adding that the operation was conducted by an Afghan security force, supported by coalition troops.

Shakur was a mid-level Taliban leader who controlled dozens of insurgent fighters and is responsible for conducting a number of insurgent attacks in both Chora and Baluchi districts. He provided those under his control with ammunition and weapons, and was involved in recruiting local Afghans from the area for the Taliban. Shakur was also an explosives expert responsible for building improvised explosive devices used to attack Afghan and coalition forces.

In a separate operation in Nad ‘Ali district, Helmand province, an Afghan and coalition security force detained numerous suspected insurgents during an operation to arrest a Taliban leader, ISAF said adding that the Taliban leader oversees insurgent activity in the area and provides heavy weapons, improvised explosive devices and ammunition to Taliban associated insurgents throughout the district.

Anti-government armed militant groups yet to comment regarding the reports.

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