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Taliban military chief in custody Taliban military chief arrested
(30 minutes later)
The top Taliban military commander, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, has been captured in Pakistan, US officials say.The top Taliban military commander, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, has been captured in Pakistan, US officials say.
Mullah Baradar - the Taliban's overall number two - was captured in a secret US-Pakistani raid in Karachi several days ago, The New York Times reported.Mullah Baradar - the Taliban's overall number two - was captured in a secret US-Pakistani raid in Karachi several days ago, The New York Times reported.
Senior officials later confirmed the report, saying Mullah Baradar was "providing intelligence".Senior officials later confirmed the report, saying Mullah Baradar was "providing intelligence".
"This operation was an enormous success," one official told US network ABC News. "It is a very big deal.""This operation was an enormous success," one official told US network ABC News. "It is a very big deal."
Senior intelligence officials voiced hope that Mullah Baradar would provide the location of Taliban leader Mullah Muhammad Omar.Senior intelligence officials voiced hope that Mullah Baradar would provide the location of Taliban leader Mullah Muhammad Omar.
Mullah Baradar is reported to be the Taliban's most senior figure behind the reclusive Mullah Omar, who has been hiding from Western agencies since the 9/11 terror attacks in 2001. The New York Times, citing US government sources, said the prisoner was the most significant Taliban figure to be detained since the US-led war in Afghanistan began in 2001.
His capture comes as Nato and Afghan troops are leading a major offensive against Taliban militants in southern Afghanistan. 'Big fish'
The New York Times said the raid was conducted by Pakistan's Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and CIA operatives, citing officials. Mullar Baradar is believed to rank second only in influence to the Taliban's spiritual leader, Mullar Omar, who has been hiding from Western agencies since the 9/11 terror attacks in 2001.
The newspaper said it learned of the operation on Thursday, but delayed reporting it after a request by White House officials who said disclosing it would end a very successful intelligence drive. The BBC's North America editor Mark Mardell, in Washington, says Mullah Baradar is a "big fish" who runs the Taliban's day-to-day operations, both military and financial.
He allocates Taliban funds, appoints military commanders and designs military tactics, our correspondent says.
Mullah Baradar was quoted last year as telling his troops to not to confront US soldiers with their superior firepower, but to operate using guerrilla tactics.
He is said to be responsible for the Taliban tactic of planting "flowers" - improvised explosive devices (IEDs) - along roadsides.
Mullah Baradar's capture comes as Nato and Afghan troops are carrying out a major offensive against Taliban militants in southern Afghanistan.
Sanctioned
The New York Times said the Karachi raid was conducted by Pakistan's Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and CIA operatives, citing officials.
The newspaper said it learned of the operation on Thursday, but delayed reporting it after a request by White House officials. They said disclosing it would end a very successful intelligence drive.
US officials later acknowledged the news, saying it was becoming broadly known in the region.US officials later acknowledged the news, saying it was becoming broadly known in the region.
According to Interpol, Mullah Baradar was born in 1968, and served as deputy minister of defence for the Taliban regime in Afghanistan that was toppled in 2001. According to Interpol Mullah Baradar was born in 1968, and served as deputy minister of defence for the Taliban regime in Afghanistan before it was toppled in 2001.
He has been subject to UN sanctions, which include a travel ban, an arms embargo and the freezing of assets. He has been subject to UN sanctions including a travel ban, an arms embargo and the freezing of assets.