Kabul  - At least eight militants were detained during an Afghan National Security and US-led coalition forces' joint operation in the eastern Afghan province of Paktia, a coalition statement said Friday.

The arrests were made on Thursday after the combined force searched several compounds in Zadran District aiming to target a Taliban militant suspected of facilitating improvised explosive device (IED) attacks and fighters in the area, it added.

"IED components were discovered on the compounds and removed to prevent possible future use," the statement said.

In another development, Afghan security forces recovered and defused a roadside explosive device in Paghman district near Kabul on Thursday night.

Abdul Razaq, police chief of Paghman district, said the explosive device was fitted between the road near the district market and the Kobaki area where Afghan and foreign forces sometimes patrol. (dpa)