KABUL, Oct. 3 (Xinhua) -- The U.S.-led Coalition forces on Thursday detained four suspected militants including a sub-commander during an operation targeting the Haqqani network in Khost province of eastern Afghanistan, said a Coalition statement released here on Friday.

    The operation targeted a known foreign fighter facilitator in Sabari district, believed to coordinate and direct militant activities in the area, the statement said.

    The targeted Haqqani sub-commander was detained along with his three other followers during the operation, it said.

    Coalition forces searched the compound, finding weapons and other related items, which were destroyed to prevent future use, it added.

    Jalaludin Haqani, who served as a minister and chief of army staff during Taliban regime in Afghanistan, is a close aide to Taliban chief Mullah Mohammad Omar and has been leading Taliban fighters in east Afghanistan to mount pressure on Afghan government and international troops deployed there in the post-Taliban nation.

    Conflicts and spiraling insurgency have claimed the lives of over 4,000 people, mostly militants, so far this year.