BBC News Online: World: South Asia

Taleban confirm Commander Baghlani's arrest

The ruling Taleban authorities in Afghanistan have arrested one of the key pro-Taleban commanders in the north of the country.

A Taleban spokesman said that the commander, Bashir Baghlani, had been arrested two days ago for establishing contact with the rival opposition alliance.

This has been denied by the opposition alliance, led by the former president, Burhanuddin Rabbani, and his chief military commander, Ahmad Shah Masood.

Commander Baghlani is a former Mujahadeen commander, who went over to the Taleban in 1998 and was instrumental in helping them capture northern areas of the country.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service