Suspected al-Qaida fighters held in Afghanistan

updated 3:55 a.m. ET July 29, 2006

KABUL, Afghanistan - U.S.-led coalition forces detained four suspected al-Qaida operatives during an operation in eastern Afghanistan on Saturday, the U.S. military said.

The suspects didn't resist when they were nabbed early Saturday near Sal Kalay, a village in Khost province, a U.S. military statement said.

The U.S. military did not reveal the names or nationalities of the suspects.

The purpose of the operation was to capture al-Qaida operatives who have been involved in planning attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in eastern Afghanistan, the U.S. military said, adding that "the mission was successful."

Coalition forces also seized two AK-47 assault rifles and a briefcase with extremist-related documents from the location, it said.

"This morning's raid should put all terrorists on notice," coalition spokesman Col. Thomas Collins said. "Each day we gain greater intelligence and greater ability to find terrorists who offer nothing to the Afghan people but fear and intimidation."

Coalition and Afghan forces will continue to engage extremists in Afghanistan "to bring greater security to the Afghan people," Collins said.

Insurgents have stepped up attacks in recent months, sparking the bloodiest fighting since the Taliban regime was ousted in late 2001 for sheltering Osama bin Laden.

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