[Al Arabiya Latest] Pakistan said Friday it arrested the chief spokesman and a commander of Taliban militants in Swat, capturing the first most-wanted ring leaders behind a devastating two-year insurgency.The spokesman Muslim Khan and four other Taliban leaders were arrested from Swat "in a successful operation," the military spokesman Mj. Gen. Athar Abbas said.
" Muslim Khan and Mahmood Khan have been arrested by security forces in a successful operation in Swat "Military spokesman Athar Abbas |
While the commander of the Taliban in Swat, Fazlullah, avoided interviews and television cameras, Khan became the public face of the Taliban in Swat.
The army launched an offensive in the Swat valley and adjoining districts of North West Frontier Province in late April after Taliban fighters began expanding their influence nearer to Islamabad.
Military officials say more than 2,000 insurgents and over 300 soldiers have been killed in the operation, which has moved into its final stages.