A “key al-Qaeda member” has been arrested during a night raid in southern Helmand province, the provincial governor’s media office reported on Thursday.

“The night raid was launched by Afghan forces on Wednesday night in Khanshin district,” the statement said, adding that “forces have seized Pakistani identity cards from the al-Qaeda member.” A local official said 15 Pakistani IDs were found on the detainee.

“Another member of al-Qaeda was also arrested during the operation, and (Afghan) forces discovered weapons,” the report said.