Two Taliban Leaders Captured In Southern Afghanistan

Kabul, 16 February 2004 (RFE/RL) -- The U.S. military says troops in Afghanistan have arrested 40 people, including two mid-level Taliban leaders, in the latest operations against insurgents.
Spokesman Colonel Bryan Hilferty said U.S. special-operations forces raided houses in the southern Helmand Province yesterday in search of Taliban and Al-Qaeda loyalists. He said grenades, mines, and other ammunition were found during the raid.

Hilferty did not identify the captured Taliban leaders. About 11,500 U.S.-led troops are searching for Taliban and Al-Qaeda fighters in southern and southeastern Afghanistan.