This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/8517375.stm
The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Taliban military chief arrested | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 'Big fish' | 'Big fish' |
| 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. | 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. |
| MULLAH BARADAR Second-in-charge behind Taliban founder Mullah OmarIn charge of Taliban's military operations and financial affairsBorn in Dehrawood District, Uruzgan Province, in 1948Former defence minister for the Taliban regime Source: Interpol, news agencies | |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | Mullah Baradar's capture comes as Nato and Afghan troops are carrying out a major offensive against Taliban militants in southern Afghanistan. |
| Sanctioned | 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 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. | 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 before it 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 including 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. |