Afghan forces backed by the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) captured a Taliban local leader in the militants former stronghold Kandahar province 450 km south of Afghan capital Kabul on Wednesday, a statement of ISAF released here asserted.

"An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader in Shah Wali Kot district, Kandahar province, today," the statement added.

Without revealing the name of the arrested man, the statement noted that "the leader provided weapons and ammunition to insurgent fighters in central Arghandab and southwest Shah Wali Kot districts, and planned and coordinated improvised explosive device (IED) attacks targeting Afghan and coalition forces."

Taliban militants fighting the government and NATO-led coalition troops have yet to make comment.