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Pakistani Security Forces Say Key Taliban Commander Arrested


By RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal

Pakistani security forces claim they have arrested a key commander of the Pakistani Taliban, or Tehrik-e-Taliban (TTP).

Adnan Rashid was reportedly captured following an exchange of fire in South Waziristan tribal district.

An RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal correspondent, quoting intelligence sources, says Rashid was hiding in a house in Shakai area of South Waziristan when security forces, acting on a tip-off, raided the house three days ago.

Radio Mashaal reports that the TTP has confirmed Rashid's arrest.

Rashid had been convicted and sentenced to death for his alleged role in an attack on Pakistan's former President Pervez Musharraf in 2003.

He had been awaiting execution in a prison in Bannu city when militants stormed the prison in 2012 and released him along with nearly 400 other inmates.

Rashid later masterminded a jailbreak in Dera Ismail Khan. Some reports suggest he was heading the Ansar al-Aseer group of the TTP, which is responsible for releasing Taliban from Pakistani prisons.

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