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'Taleban leader held' in Pakistan 'Taleban leader held' in Pakistan
(about 5 hours later)
Security forces in Pakistan have arrested a former Taleban defence minister, intelligence officials say.Security forces in Pakistan have arrested a former Taleban defence minister, intelligence officials say.
Mullah Obaidullah Akhund, said to be a leader in the Taleban insurgency in Afghanistan, was reportedly seized in the south-western city of Quetta.Mullah Obaidullah Akhund, said to be a leader in the Taleban insurgency in Afghanistan, was reportedly seized in the south-western city of Quetta.
The raid coincided with a visit by US Vice-President Dick Cheney on Monday, officials said, during which he urged Pakistan to do more to fight terror.The raid coincided with a visit by US Vice-President Dick Cheney on Monday, officials said, during which he urged Pakistan to do more to fight terror.
Mr Akhund's arrest has not been confirmed by Pakistan's government. But a Taleban spokesman in Afghanistan has denied the arrest.
Although Mr Akhund's arrest has not been confirmed by Pakistan's government, an intelligence official, speaking anonymously, said the raid had been a planned operation and had not been linked to Mr Cheney's visit.
'Baseless'
He would be the most senior Taleban leader to have been captured since its government was forced out of power in Afghanistan in 2001.He would be the most senior Taleban leader to have been captured since its government was forced out of power in Afghanistan in 2001.
A Pakistani intelligence official, speaking anonymously, said the raid had been a planned operation and had not been linked to Mr Cheney's visit. A number of other suspected Taleban figures have also been arrested in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, this week, the official said.
A number of other suspected Taleban figures have also been arrested in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, this week, he said. A Taleban spokesman Qari Mohammad Yusaf told the BBC in Peshawar that reports of Mullah Obaidullah's arrest from Quetta earlier in the week were baseless.
Spring offensive He said the Taleban leadership was based in Afghanistan.
The denial could not be verified independently.
Mr Cheney's visit to the region on Monday came amid increasing concern about insurgent activity in several areas of Afghanistan.Mr Cheney's visit to the region on Monday came amid increasing concern about insurgent activity in several areas of Afghanistan.
Upsurge in suicide attacks Quick guide: AfghanistanUpsurge in suicide attacks Quick guide: Afghanistan
In talks with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, Mr Cheney urged Pakistan to do more to combat the Taleban near the Afghan border, but also praised its role in the "war on terror".In talks with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, Mr Cheney urged Pakistan to do more to combat the Taleban near the Afghan border, but also praised its role in the "war on terror".
US defence officials told Congress on Thursday that the threat from the Taleban is greater now than a year ago.US defence officials told Congress on Thursday that the threat from the Taleban is greater now than a year ago.
Some 27,000 US troops have been deployed in Afghanistan, the highest number since the invasion of 2001, amid fears of a spring offensive by the Taleban and its allies as the snows clear.Some 27,000 US troops have been deployed in Afghanistan, the highest number since the invasion of 2001, amid fears of a spring offensive by the Taleban and its allies as the snows clear.
Analysts say the US is seeking to send a tough message to Pakistan that aid to the country could be cut unless efforts to catch militants are stepped up.Analysts say the US is seeking to send a tough message to Pakistan that aid to the country could be cut unless efforts to catch militants are stepped up.
Afghanistan and Pakistan share a 1,400-mile (2,250km) border, and many Taleban fighters operate from bases on the Pakistani side.Afghanistan and Pakistan share a 1,400-mile (2,250km) border, and many Taleban fighters operate from bases on the Pakistani side.