Officials in western Afghanistan say a roadside bomb has exploded in Herat province, killing five Afghan soldiers.

The blast happened Wednesday in Pashtun Zarghun, where officials say the four soldiers and one officer were traveling in a vehicle.

Meanwhile, NATO said Wednesday Afghan and coalition forces killed several armed insurgents during an operation Tuesday in the southern Helmand province. NATO said it was searching for a Taliban member who has directed insurgents in roadside bombings and attacks against coalition troops.

Another combined operation Tuesday captured a Taliban commander in the northern Baghlan province.