New blow to Taleban

Pakistani intelligence agents have arrested a senior Afghan Taleban commander, the latest move in a crackdown on the insurgent network in Pakistan.

Agha Jan Mohtasim, a former Finance Minister for the Taleban before the United States-led invasion in 2001, was detained in the southern city of Karachi, two intelligence officials said yesterday.

One of the officials said two other Taleban associates were arrested with Mohtasim, though he would not identify them.