Authorities capture senior Taliban figure

AFP - Pakistani authorities have captured Mullah Abdul Kabir, a senior Taliban figure and top military commander fighting US forces in eastern Afghanistan, The New York Times reported Tuesday.
  
A Pakistani intelligence official told the Times that Mullah Kabir was detained several days ago in Nawshera, in Pakistan's North West Frontier Province.
  
Mullah Kabir is part of the small group of leaders called the Quetta Shura who lead the Taliban's operations and report to the group's founder, Mullah Mohammad Omar.
  
The Times said his capture appeared to be part of a Pakistani operation.
  
The report came as Pakistan has stepped up its fight against militants within its own borders, capturing several Taliban leaders in recent weeks in operations reportedly carried out with help from the US Central Intelligence Agency.
  
Last month, US and Pakistani intelligence agents captured Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban's top military commander and another member of the Quetta Shura.