Pakistan 'arrests key Taliban leader'

[Robb]

Source: BBC

Another leader of Afghanistan's Taliban has been arrested in Pakistan, reports quoting Pakistani and US officials say.

Agha Jan Mohtasim was arrested in the southern city of Karachi, intelligence officials said.

A number of other Afghan Taliban leaders are said to have been detained recently, including the group's deputy leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar.

The arrests have been hailed as a major blow to the group amid a Nato offensive against the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8550725.stm

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Mohtasim makes six (maybe seven) from the Quetta Shura picked up since the beginning of the year. Notably arrested in Karachi, not Quetta. Also notable as one of several who could have (possibly) seized control after the capture of Baradar. Probably not really, but his name's been mentioned.

[NJmaverick]

1. The Taliban is getting it from all sides

the Pakistanis are arresting their leaders left and right and they are facing a string of defeats in Afghanistan. This organization by be reaching the point where peace negotiations will start to look attractive.

[rollin74]

2. Good news

glad to hear it. Finally some real progress against the Taliban in Pakistan as well as Afghanistan.

hope the Pakistan gov't keeps the pressure on

[formercia]

3. The US, Saudis and the Pakistani ISI created this monster in the 80's.

Dead chickens come to roost.

[Igel]

6. Still, it would be good to be able to dodge the pullet. n/t

[formercia]

8. I like it.

:toast:

[xchrom]

4. I rec this conditionally.

We have yet to see if Pak will stop using extremeists
for their own ends -- I.e. Kashmir.

[Robb]

5. If anything, I'd conditionally rec it

...to wait and see if they really have Mohtasim. ;)

[Alias Dictus Tyrant]

7. Has anyone seen Dick Cheney recently?