Pakistan Taliban spokesman 'held' , Taliban Leader captured

18 August 2009

Pakistan's army has arrested a man it believes to be the chief spokesman for the country's Taliban, officials say.
Maulvi Omar was a spokesman for the Tehrik Taliban Pakistan (TTP), one of the main Taliban groups in the country.
He was reportedly picked up in the Mohmand tribal area close to the border with Afghanistan, while travelling in a car with two associates.
Mr Omar is said to have been a key aide of Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud, thought to have been killed recently.
Pakistani officials say they will produce Mr Omar before journalists later on Tuesday.
"A very, very important militant has been arrested," Maj Fazal Ur Rehman told the AFP news agency.
Despite that statement, correspondents say Maulvi Omar's importance has diminished in recent weeks because of army advances in his stronghold of Bajaur, in north-western Pakistan.
His arrest came as a senior Pakistani army officer said that it would take months to prepare an offensive against the Taliban in South Waziristan, where they are strongest. source: bbc.com

Posted by News Point at 5:48 AM  
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