The Times reported tonight that the Taliban’s top military commander was captured in Pakistan several days ago, according to American government officials. Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar was taken in by a secret joint operation led by Pakistani and American intelligence forces; he is considered the most significant Taliban member captured since the American-led war in Afghanistan began eight years ago. The only Taliban figure seen as more powerful is Osama bin Laden-associate Mullah Muhammad Omar, the Taliban’s founder. [NYT]
