NationStates Jolt Archive

http://ca.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2007-03-01T213106Z_01_ISL171420_RTRIDST_0_NEWS-PAKISTAN-TALIBAN-COL.XML&archived=False
Senior Taliban leader held in Pakistan: sources

ISLAMABAD/KABUL (Reuters) - Pakistani security forces have captured a high-ranking Taliban leader in the southwestern city of Quetta, a senior Pakistani security official and Taliban sources said on Thursday.
The capture of Mullah Obaidullah Akhund marked the first time Pakistan had arrested a senior leader of the Islamist militia since it was driven from power in Afghanistan in 2001, and thousands of its fighters fled into Pakistan.

The security official, who requested anonymity, and the Taliban sources said Akhund, the third most senior member of the Taliban's 10-member leadership council, was arrested late on Monday, hours after a surprise visit to Pakistan by U.S. Vice-President Dick Cheney.

The head of the Interior Ministry's Crisis Management Unit, retired Brigadier Javed Iqbal Cheema, denied Akhund had been detained when asked by Reuters.

Aside from being on the leadership council, headed by Mullah Mohammad Omar, Akhund was defense minister in the Taliban government before it fell.

What do you reckon? Is that worth anything?

Not really. They always seem to be catching number 2, 3, 4 etc. It won't matter until they get number 1.

Good news I say. All we need to do is find out who replaces him and capture him too.

Didn't we used to capture the Number Two guy in al-Qaeda on a regular basis?

I can see the President of Pakistan, who's been getting a teensy bit of negative press lately because the Taliban seems to have taken over part of his country, getting in touch with the Taliban leaders.

"You have to give me someone so I can get that damned texan off my back. You can't imagine what being lectured by him is like!"

"Okay, okay, calm down. Let's see, how about Obaidullah Akhund? He's behind on his dues and frankly, his work has slipped a little lately."

Not really. They always seem to be catching number 2, 3, 4 etc. It won't matter until they get number 1.

It's a ladder. One drops off everyone else moves up.

What do you reckon? Is that worth anything?

Apparently they greatly lose value once you remove them from the hut they came in....

Apparently they greatly lose value once you remove them from the hut they came in....

Yeah, see, breaking that seal, you invalidate the warranty and everything ... :rolleyes:

Later in the day "Taliban Members 4-the rest of them now training in Pakistan".

Well I know its fun to poke fun at these ranked guys being taken out. I would like to see this every single day. Hopefully they will get tired of being terrorist before we run out of bullets and bombs.

Is there chain of command, like, a straight line or something?

Is there chain of command, like, a straight line or something?
Well, the Taliban are probably more linear than AQ. And he was their defense minister when they were still in power, so he was probably fairly involved at a high level for them.

http://ca.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2007-03-01T213106Z_01_ISL171420_RTRIDST_0_NEWS-PAKISTAN-TALIBAN-COL.XML&archived=False


What do you reckon? Is that worth anything?

Only if they can squeeze the location of Moolah Omar and/or UBL out of the bastard. Otherwise, just make his life a living hell and keep looking.

Number 3 captured? Oh to bad it wasn't number 1. I guess number 3 is not to bad. Wonder who'll replace him.

Kill the bastard.

He may be a pawn in an internal power struggle, but more likely, he'll turn out to be an escape artist after the news dies down. Really it's a ho hum, since there are plenty more just like him ready and eager to "serve".

What do you reckon? Is that worth anything?

lol...I predicted in another forum that after the Cheney visit we would be seeing either an assassination attempt on Musharraf or capture/killing of an AQ/taliban # 3. :p

There seems to be no shortage of #3s, it seems, and they are always mysteriously apprehended whenever American officials turn on the heat or make noises. Is it really a coincidence that they caught him now. It seems like Cheney would have to visit Mush everyday to get things really moving. ;)

There seems to be no shortage of #3s, it seems, and they are always mysteriously apprehended whenever American officials turn on the heat or make noises. Is it really a coincidence that they caught him now. It seems like Cheney would have to visit Mush everyday to get things really moving. ;)
I reckon we oughta put some money together and buy him a house just opposite Pervez'.

I reckon we oughta put some money together and buy him a house just opposite Pervez'.

I have a feeling that most Americans would find that a very agreeable proposition. :cool:

lol...I predicted in another forum that after the Cheney visit we would be seeing either an assassination attempt on Musharraf or capture/killing of an AQ/taliban # 3. :p

There seems to be no shortage of #3s, it seems, and they are always mysteriously apprehended whenever American officials turn on the heat or make noises. Is it really a coincidence that they caught him now. It seems like Cheney would have to visit Mush everyday to get things really moving. ;)

Excellent idea. Cheney can go take up residence in Pakistan, to encourage our alliesin the war on terror, and at the same time, Bush should go to the Green Zone in Baghdad and lead the troops in person.

Not really. They always seem to be catching number 2, 3, 4 etc. It won't matter until they get number 1.

And why would that matter? He'll just be replaced, and be remembered as a martyr.