Officials in Afghanistan say NATO and Afghan troops killed 15 Taliban militants during separate raids in the country's south.

A defense ministry statement says the clashes took place Saturday in the Zhari district of Kandahar province.

Afghan, NATO and U.S. troops are fighting a resurgent Taliban and other rebels who have strongholds in the southern and eastern parts of the country.

Also on Saturday, Afghanistan's Interior Ministry says police arrested a Taliban commander who was responsible for organizing attacks on U.S., NATO and Afghan forces.

The ministry says Abdul Jabar was arrested while traveling towards Pakistan.

He served as deputy to captured militant leader Mullah Mansoor Dadullah.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.