Five Taliban insurgents were captured by Afghan troops and police in Nowbahar district of the southern Zabul province, a local official said Sunday.

On Saturday night, Afghan troops and police surrounded and attacked one house, where some Taliban militants gathered, said Haji Zarif, head of Nowbahar district.

After a short fighting, the troops and police arrested five Taliban militants including a low-ranked commander, he added.

No casualties happened to both sides.

Afghanistan has witnessed a rise of violence in the past six months, during which at least 1,000 have been killed, mostly Taliban-linked militants.

Source: Xinhua