Capture of Taliban deputy good news for terror war

The top military commander of the Afghan Taliban is now being questioned by American and Pakistani intelligence officials after he was captured recently in a raid that could well mark the turning point in the war on terrorism in Afghanistan and Pakistan. American officials have long complained about the reluctance or unwillingness of the Pakistani intelligence service to go after Taliban and al-Qaida leaders.

Pakistan’s military has also not been eager to be associated with the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan and the campaign against terrorists who have taken refuge in the mountain region of the border between the two countries. The reason: Civilian casualties as a result of missile attacks from unmanned aircraft have turned public opinion against the United States.

But now, with the capture of Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the No. 2 man in the Taliban and the Islamic extremist group’s military commander, there is reason for some optimism with regard to cease-fire negotiations between the Afghan Taliban and the U.S. and NATO-led forces fighting in Afghanistan.

In addition, Baradar could provide valuable information not only about the group’s founder, Mullah Muhammad Omar, but also about al-Qaida and its leader, Osama bin Laden, who reportedly is in hiding with members of his inner circle in a remote tribal area long the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

According to the Associated Press, U.S. officials believe Baradar does have a wealth of in-depth information on other Taliban leaders and could point to moderates who are approachable and warn away from hard-liners unwilling to get involved in the peace process.

CIA involvement

Although Pakistan is being credited with Baradar’s capture, the involvement of the CIA is evident. Indeed, ever since President Obama took office in January 2009, numerous al-Qaida and Taliban leaders have been killed, and while no one is suggesting that the war on terror is close to being won, the strategy adopted by the U.S.-led coalition is having a positive effect.

Mullah Baradar was arrested earlier this month in a joint operation by CIA and Pakistani security forces in the southern port city of Karachi. Both the Pakistani army and the White House finally publicly confirmed the arrest.

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters Wednesday that Baradar’s capture was a sign of increased cooperation with the U.S. in the terror fight. He also confirmed that Baradar is being interrogated but wouldn’t divulge the results.

Despite the attempt by President Obama’s critics to downplay the significance of the capture, the psychological impact on the Taliban and on coalition forces in Afghanistan is significant.

In a related move, a U.S. official said Wednesday that another Afghan Taliban leader, Mullah Abdul Salam, a “shadow governor” of Afghanistan’s Kunduz province, has been captured by Pakistani authorities. Newsweek first reported his capture.

Cooperation between the United States and Pakistan is absolutely essential because of the successes the Taliban fighters have had in launching attacks in Afghanistan and then seeking safe haven in the remote mountain areas governed by tribal leaders. The U.S. needs the Pakistani government to send troops to those areas to prevent the infiltration of the border.

In return, the Obama administration must be willing to do everything in its power to help the government of President Asif Ali Zardari, which has been targeted by terrorist organizations. Because of its nuclear weapons, Pakistan has become a major target for Islamic extremist groups that want to create a theocracy.

That cannot be allowed to happen.