NANGARHAR -- Security forces with the National Directorate of Security (NDS) arrested five members of the "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS) terrorist group, including two leaders, and a Taliban militant in Jalalabad, officials said.
Local authorities presented the detainees on August 7 to reporters at a compound of the NDS provincial department in Nangarhar.
The arrests will thwart terrorist plots in the provincial capital, said Nangarhar Governor Hayatullah Hayat at the event.
"Five ISIS and one Taliban terrorists were captured in [Jalalabad] along with their weapons and other equipment that they wanted to use to launch terrorist attacks in the city," Hayat said.
![Five ISIS members and one Taliban member are presented to the media August 7 in Jalalabad, Nangarhar Province. Arresting the six militants prevented attacks in Jalalabad, said local officials. [Khalid Zerai]](/cnmi_st/images/2018/08/10/13934-img_0270-739_416.webp)
Five ISIS members and one Taliban member are presented to the media August 7 in Jalalabad, Nangarhar Province. Arresting the six militants prevented attacks in Jalalabad, said local officials. [Khalid Zerai]
![Members of the General Command of Police Special Units (GCPSU) can be seen August 7 upon arriving in Jalalabad, Nangarhar Province. The unit will work with local authorities to improve security in the city. [Khalid Zerai]](/cnmi_st/images/2018/08/10/13933-img_1644-739_416.webp)
Members of the General Command of Police Special Units (GCPSU) can be seen August 7 upon arriving in Jalalabad, Nangarhar Province. The unit will work with local authorities to improve security in the city. [Khalid Zerai]
"Forty-one different kinds of weapons were seized from the arrested militants. They were prepared to transfer them to other militants," he said.
The two ISIS leaders allegedly were responsible for providing explosives, suicide vests and the transportation of ISIS family members throughout the province, according to officials.
"Gul Azam, a resident of Rodat District, who was responsible for providing explosives and suicide vests for ISIS, was among those detained," Hayat added.
The NDS showed the reporters a video in which the militants confessed to their crimes.
"Yes, I was transporting [ISIS members] to the city and to other areas, and they wanted to carry out attacks. I was using any means to try to reach our targets," Gul Alam, one of the local ISIS leaders, said in the video.
"When our members were injured, we would transport them and treat their wounds and I was taking care of them," said Abdur Rahim, another ISIS member.
"Are you Muslims that you are martyring civilians? Do you understand the religion? Can you interpret the meaning of prayer to me? Do you consider this fighting legitimate in which [Afghans] are martyred?" Hayat asked the detainees in front of reporters.
"No," responded the militants by shaking their heads.
"You are not doing jihad, but instead what you are doing is against jihad," the governor said.
Security improving
The civilian leadership is working with security forces to improve the security situation in Jalalabad, said Hayat.
The Afghan National Army (ANA), which August 1 went to Jalalabad to help maintain security after a string of deadly terrorist acts, will not be working alone, Hayat said, adding that the army would work with NDS personnel and local police.
The attacks included one on the provincial Refugees and Repatriations Department compound in Jalalabad July 31.
A special forces regiment of the Interior Ministry, the General Command of Police Special Units (GCPSU), has also arrived in Nangarhar, said Hayat.
The GCPSU took over security responsibilities in Jalalabad from the ANA August 7.
