Pakistan army says top Taliban commander arrested
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Rawalpindi, Feb 11, IRNA
Pakistan-Taliban Commander
Pakistan army said on Monday that the security forces have arrested top Taliban commander Mulla Mansoor Dadullah.
Mullah Bakht Mohammad, known as Masnsoor Dadullah, was apprehended Taliban commander after his brother Mullah Dadullah, top commander of Taliban, was killed in May last year in battle with the U.S.-led forces in Afghanistan.
Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar had appointed him to take the place of the Taliban top operational commander in the south after his brother's death.
An army said in a statement that Mulla Mansoor Dadullah and his five accomplices were arrested in southwestern Balochistan province while crossing into Pakistan, an army statement said.
"Taliban Commander Mulla Mansoor Dadullah while trying to cross the border at Gaddal Post (Qilla Saifullah) was arrested after an exchange of fire with Frontier Corps (paramilitary force) Balochistan," the statement from Inter-Services Public Relations said.
"Five of his accomplices have also been arrested. Initial information reveals that Mulla Mansoor Dadullah is injured and has been arrested while trying to enter into Pakistan," it said.
Local TV channels reported that the captured Taliban leaders were flown to Islamabad in a helicopter for questioning.
The other three captured Taliban leaders included Khalid Dad, Khuda Dad and Reza Muhammad, Aaj TV reported.
Pakistani security forces conducted a secret operation early Monday morning on a tip and even the local authorities were not informed about the operation, TV channels said.
A large number of security forces took part in the operation and when they conducted a raid the Taliban leaders started firing at the Pakistani forces, according to reports.
The Pakistani authorities also recovered weapons including ockets, grenades and machine guns from the compound.
A senior American said on Friday that Taliban leader Mulla Muhamamd Omar and members of Taliban Shura or council are living in the Pakistani city of Quetta and are coordinating attacks from there.
The report was denied by Pakistan.
Late last year Mansoor Dadullah appeared in a video which shows a training camp for suicide bombers.
In June 2007, he said that al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden is alive and active.
On December 29, 2007, Mansoor Dadullah was reportedly removed from his post as military commander by Mullah Omar due to insubordination.
Mansoor Dadullah had been critical at the Pakistani government for military operation against the Taliban-linked Red Mosque in Islamabad in July last year.
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