Pakistan confirms Taliban leader’s arrest

Soldiers of Pakistan's para military force search an incoming Afghan national at the Pakistani border Chaman, along Afghanistan on Tuesday. Pakistani authorities beefed up security at Pak-Afghan border after NATO's and allied forces launched an operation against the Taliban in Marjah in Afghanistan's Helmand province. Photo: AP.

The chief spokesman for Pakistan’s military has confirmed that Afghan Taliban No. 2 leader Mullah Baradar, has been arrested.

Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas’ statement on Wednesday was the first official confirmation that Baradar is in Pakistani custody.

Pakistani and U.S. officials said on Tuesday that Baradar was arrested earlier this month in the southern city of Karachi in what is being interpreted as a major blow to the militant movement in Afghanistan and a boost to U.S. efforts in the war there.

Maj. Gen. Abbas said in a message sent to reporters that “detailed identification procedures” had been completed and that Mullah Baradar was among several people arrested recently. He did not give any other details of the arrest, citing security reasons.