Secret Joint Raid Captures Taliban’s Top Commander , The New York Times, 15 February 2010
EXCERPT: "The Taliban’s top military commander was captured several days ago in Karachi, Pakistan, in a secret joint operation by Pakistani and American intelligence forces, according to American government officials. The commander, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, is an Afghan described by American officials as the most significant Taliban figure to be detained since the American-led war in Afghanistan started more than eight years ago. He ranks second in influence only to Mullah Muhammad Omar, the Taliban’s founder and a close associate of Osama bin Laden before the Sept. 11 attacks. Mullah Baradar has been in Pakistani custody for several days, with American and Pakistani intelligence officials both taking part in interrogations, according to the officials. It was unclear whether he was talking, but the officials said his capture had provided a window into the Taliban and could lead to other senior officials. Most immediately, they hope he will provide the whereabouts of Mullah Omar, the one-eyed cleric who is the group’s spiritual leader."
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Related articles:
Mullah Baradar arrest reports propaganda: Rehman Malik, DAWN, 16 February 2010
Are other Taliban leaders hiding in Karachi?, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 February 2010
How significant is Mullah Baradar's arrest?, BBC News, 16 February 2010
Opening a new front, The Economist, 16 February 2010
America’s new nightmare, Newsweek, 25 July 2009
Related media:
Taliban deny capture of their leader [video], Reuters, 16 February 2010
Kerry on Baradar capture [video], CBS News Online, 16 February 2010
Related posts:
Pak's complex relations with militant groups hinder Afghan success, 26 January 2010
Afghan Taliban leaders hiding in Karachi, 1 December 2009
Afghan Taliban chief hides in Pakistan, 20 November 2009
Why Pakistan won't fight the Afghan Taliban, 20 November 2009
The Taliban Quetta Shura: Fact or fiction?, 18 November 2009
