By SUNIL Sonkar

Islamabad, Feb. 17 — Pakistan first time had confirmed on Wednesday that Afghan Taliban’s No. 2 leader is in its in custody. According to officials, the leader was providing useful intelligence to Pakistan which was being shared with US.

This month Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar was arrested when a joint operation was held in the southern port city of Karachi by CIA and Pakistani security. The first public confirmation of the arrest was made by the army on Wednesday.

Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas wrote to the reporters, “At the conclusion of detailed identification procedures, it has been confirmed that one of the persons arrested happens to be Mullah Baradar. The place of arrest and operational details cannot be released due to security reasons.”

Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar was the second-in-command behind Mullah Mohammad Omar, the founder and supreme leader of Taliban. He was said to be looking after the day-to-day running of the Taliban’s leadership council that is believed to be in Pakistan. Baradar, apart from being the founder member, is also the key figure of the Taliban.

However, White House declined to confirm his capture.