Taliban arrests in Pakistan

MORE Taliban leaders have been captured in Pakistan following the arrest of its deputy leader.

The roundups came as 15,000 US, NATO and Afghan forces pressed the Taliban in their southern Afghan stronghold of Marjah, the biggest town under militant control.

Nine men linked to al-Qaida were seized near Pakistan’s biggest city of Karachi, where the Taliban’s deputy chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar was picked up several days ago.

Others caught in the recent sweeps included the Taliban’s “shadow” governors in two provinces in northern Afghanistan.

Communications intercepted by the US played a key role in tracking and arresting the suspects, who were buying bomb-making equipment.

Many details are still unclear, including how they were linked to the capture of Mullah Baradar, who effectively ran the Taliban on behalf of the reclusive leader Mullah Mohammad Omar.