Updated on
Summary
The United States and Pakistani intelligence forces nabbed Taliban's top commander Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar in Karachi, the US Daily New York Times reported. He is termed as the most significant Taliban figure since start of the US-led war in Afghanistan eight years ago and second only to Taliban founder Muhammad Omar. Taliban commander Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar was captured several days ago and is currently in Pakistani custody with US officials taking part in his interrogation.Baradar was a close associate of Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden before the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.Unnamed US officials told the daily they hoped his capture will lead to other senior Taliban officials.The Times said it learned of Baradar's capture on Thursday, but delayed reporting it at the White House's request for fear it would hamper a successful intelligence gathering effort.The newspaper published the story after US officials acknowledged Baradar's capture was becoming widely known in the region.The sources also added that the development showed strong coordination between Pakistan and US intelligence agencies.
