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Taliban commander “seized in Pakistan”

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A man described as the top Afghan Taliban military commander and named as Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar has been captured in Pakistan, US officials say. He was seized in a morning raid on a madrassa near Karachi by Pakistan’s ISI intelligence service on February 8th, a security source told the BBC. The government has yet to confirm the arrest; the Taliban have denied it. Pakistani authorities have beefed up security at the Afghan border after NATO”s and allied forces launch operation against Taliban in Marjah in Afghanistan’s Helmand province. Jason Margolis has more.

• BBC coverage
• The Taliban conflict
• President Obama’s Afghanistan plan

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KATY CLARK:  I’m Katy Clark, this is The World.  The name Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar might not ring any bells here in the United States, but the capture of the Taliban second in command could have large implications for the U.S. in Afghanistan.  Baradar has allegedly been captured in the Pakistani city of Karachi.  That’s according to reports that quote U.S. and Pakistani officials.  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton declined to confirm those reports, though.  We’ll hear more about the Taliban commander in a few minutes.  First, the details on his reported arrest from The World’s Jason Margolis.

JASON MARGOLIS:  It’s believed that Baradar was detained as many as 10 days ago.  His capture was first reported on the New York Times website last night.  The New York Times reports that it learned of the capture last Thursday, but delayed reporting it at the request of White House officials.  The White House contended that making the news public could hamper a successful intelligence gathering effort.  Details of the capture remain murky.  For example, it’s unclear if the CIA led the raid with Pakistani assistance, or if Pakistan’s intelligence service, the ISI spearheaded the operation.  What does seem clear is that Pakistan was cooperating with the CIA, says Haroun Mir and Afghan political analyst from Kabul.  Mir says that cooperation alone represents a significant shift in Pakistani policy.

HAROUN MIR:  I’m sure without the help and the cooperation of Pakistanis this arrest would have never happened.  I think there is a political will now within the Pakistani military, especially the ISI and I think this is a strong signal to the rest of the Taliban leadership that they have no safe havens in Pakistan anymore.

MARGOLIS: The two intelligence agencies, the CIA and ISI are also reportedly cooperating on a joint interrogation.  While the U.S. and Pakistani governments have remained officially silent, Taliban officials have not.  A Taliban spokesman, Qari Mohammad Yousuf denied the capture of Baradar.  He said Baradar has not been arrested and is in Afghanistan engaged in a Holy War.  The spokesman called the reported capture of Baradar propaganda aimed at trying to influence Muslims.  In Karachi, a city of more than 15 million people, some residents also expressed surprise at the alleged arrest of a Taliban leader.  The BBC spoke with people in the city who insisted that there is no Taliban presence there.

INTERPRETER:  There is no Taliban threat in Karachi.  The ones who are blowing up bombs here are not the Taliban and they’re not Muslim.  Muslims don’t explode bombs.

MARGOLIS: Even if Baradar was living in Karachi, its doubtful many people would have known who he was.  Very little is known about the man.  The website for Interpol, the world’s largest police organization, only offers approximation for his age and location and says no photos are available.  For The World, I’m Jason Margolis.

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