US-Pak joint intelligence operation nabs second Afghan Taliban leader

Islamabad, Feb.18 (ANI): A second high-ranking Afghan Taliban leader has been captured through a joint U.S.-Pakistani intelligence operation in Pakistan, Fox News reports.

The capture of Mullah Salam, first reported by Newsweek magazine, follows the reported capture of Taliban deputy chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar early this month in Pakistan.

A foreign news agency quoted a Pakistani officer, as saying that Baradar "was talking" after his capture, but there is no indication that he provided information leading to the apprehension of Salam, who is known as a "shadow governor" in his region of Afghanistan.

"The capture of an Afghan Taliban 'shadow governor' is positive, good news," a U.S. official told Fox News.

The capture of Salam is not as significant as the capture of Baradar, the official said, but "whenever the Pakistanis arrest somebody, that is a plus." (ANI)