Taliban military chief captured in Pakistan
THE TALIBAN'S top military commander has been captured in Pakistan, as NATO forces push ahead with Operation Moshtarak in militant-influenced southern Afghanistan.
Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, who is second-in-command behind Afghan Taliban founder Mullah Mohammad Omar and a close associate of Osama bin Laden - was captured in the port city of Karachi, U.S. and Pakistani officials revealed today.
The arrest may have occurred several days ago.
The news emerged as 15,000 NATO and Afghan troops continue with Operation Moshtarak in a bid to reclaim the town of Marjah - the linchpin of the Taliban logistical and opium poppy smuggling network in the militant-influenced south.
U.S. Marines are spearheading the assault aimed at breaking the Taliban stranglehold over southern Afghanistan.
A Taliban spokesman denied Mullah Baradar had been captured and said he was still in Afghanistan actively organising the group's military and political activities.
"He has not been captured," spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said. "They want to spread this rumour just to divert the attention of people from their defeats in Marjah and confuse the public."