Islamabad, August 18: Pakistani security forces have scored a significant success in their drive against the Taliban by apprehending two close aides of militant commander Baitullah Mehsud, weeks after the feared warlord was reportedly killed in a US missile strike, officials said today. The top spokesman of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, Maulvi Omar, for whom the government had offered a reward of Rs 10 million, was captured with his accomplices Wahid Gul and Hameedullah in the Mohmand tribal region bordering Afghanistan last night.
Saifullah, another close aide of Mehsud who acted as a mediator between the Taliban and al-Qaeda, was arrested with his aide Zahid Akram at Bhara Kahu on the outskirts of Islamabad last night. Saifullah had come to the federal capital for treatment after reportedly being injured in a drone attack.
Omar, who claimed responsibility on behalf of the Taliban for dozens of suicide attacks and bombings over the past two years, was captured in Khwazai area by Mohmand Rifles personnel and members of a local lashkar or tribal militia, officials were quoted as saying by state-run APP news agency. He was flown in a military helicopter from Ghalanai, the main town in Mohmand Agency, to Peshawar to be interrogated by officials of security and intelligence agencies.
—PTI–