Pakistani authorities say security forces have captured a high-ranking Taleban leader in Quetta, the capital of southwestern Baluchistan province.
Intelligence officials say Mullah Obaidullah Akhund, a former Taleban defense minister and a close associate of fugitive Taleban leader Mullah Omar, was arrested during a raid on a home earlier this week.
The Pakistani government has not confirmed the arrest.
Akhund would be the most senior leader from the Islamist militia to be nabbed since the Taleban was ousted from power in neighboring Afghanistan in late 2001.
His arrest follows a surprise visit to Pakistan by U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, who urged President Pervez Musharraf to do more to stop insurgents from crossing into Afghanistan.
General Musharraf reiterated the country is doing all it can to secure its border and defeat insurgents.
Some information for this report provided by Reuters and AP.
