Key Taliban leader arrested in Islamabad

The arrest was made during an overnight raid Saturday in the Pakistani capital Islamabad. However, there is uncertainity over the exact identity of the Taliban leader.

Conflicting reports in Pakistan’s local media suggested the arrested leader is

Zia-ur-Rahman, who was in-charge of the intelligence network of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

He is being questioned for his activities, said one report while adding there is no official word on the arrest.

The name of the arrested leader has created confusion as there is another senior Taliban leader with the name of Qari Zia-ur-Rahman.

Qari, who had been living for years in northwest Pakistan, is now leading his fighters in Afghanistan’s Kunar province. He had moved to Afghanistan in the wake of major military operation in Bajaur in 2008-2009.

Qari was wanted both by the US and Pakistani sides for attacks in Pakistan’s Bajaur tribal region and attacks on US security forces in Afghanistan.