A man described as the top Afghan Taliban military commander and named as Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar has been captured in Pakistan, US officials say. He was seized in a US-Pakistani raid seven to nine days ago, a Pakistani military official told the BBC. The government has yet to confirm the arrest; the Taliban have denied it. The capture in Karachi of a man said to be the Taliban's number two comes amid a major Nato-led offensive against the Taliban in southern Afghanistan. Correspondents say Mullah Baradar is reported to be in charge of all long-term strategic military planning for the Taliban in southern Afghanistan and, if confirmed, his arrest will have a very big effect on the Taliban's ability to conduct the insurgency there. ANALYSIS Orla Guerin Orla Guerin, BBC News, Islamabad A senior Pakistani military official says this was a joint US-Pakistani operation that was based on shared intelligence. This suggests Pakistan is getting tough with Afghan Taliban leaders sheltering here - something that has long been a demand of the White House. The arrest may also be linked to attempts to get the Taliban into talks with the Afghan government and coalition forces. Mullah Baradar is believed to favour negotiations. There's some speculation here that his detention could be a bid to open channels of communication. It may also be an attempt by Pakistan to influence any future talks. Senior US officials said Mullah Baradar was "providing intelligence". "This operation was an enormous success," one official told ABC News. "It is a very big deal," the official said. 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. But a Taliban spokesman denied the reports, saying Mullah Baradar was still in Afghanistan actively organising the group's military and political activities. "He has not been captured. They want to spread this rumour just to divert the attention of people from their defeats in Marjah and confuse the public," Zabihullah Mujahid told Reuters news agency, referring to the US-led Nato offensive in the Marjah area of Helmand province. Guerrilla tactics Little is known about Mullah Baradar, but in terms of influence he is said to rank second only to the Taliban's spiritual leader, Mullar Muhammad 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 Omar In charge of Taliban's military operations and financial affairs Born in Dehrawood district, Uruzgan province, in 1968 Former deputy defence minister for the Taliban regime Source: Interpol, news agencies Profile: Mullah Baradar Senior intelligence officials voiced hope he would provide the location of Mullah Omar. 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 … [Read more...]
