| ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, March 1 ? The former Taliban defense minister was arrested in Pakistan on Monday, the day of Vice President Dick Cheney?s visit, two government officials said Thursday. He is the most important Taliban member to be captured since the American-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. Skip to next paragraph The New York Times Quetta is said to be a base for Taliban and fighters for Al Qaeda. The Reach of War Go to Complete Coverage ? The man, Mullah Obaidullah, was a senior leader of the Afghan insurgency, which has battled American and NATO forces with increasing intensity over the last year. He is one of the inner core around Mullah Muhammad Omar, the Taliban leader. The leadership is believed to operate from the relative safety of Quetta, Pakistan, where Mullah Obaidullah was arrested. It was not clear whether he was picked up before, during or after Mr. Cheney?s visit. But the timing may be significant because Mr. Cheney?s mission was intended to press Pakistan to do more to crack down on members of the Taliban and Al Qaeda who use Pakistan as a sanctuary. |
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