NATO and Afghan forces capture senior Haqqani leader

The Haqqani one of Afghanistan's most dangerous insurgent groups which has been blamed for a string of high-profile attacks on Western targets.

NATO said Haji Mali Khan was seized Tuesday during an operation in eastern Paktia province's Jani Khel district, which borders Pakistan. It is considered as the most significant capture of a Haqqani leader in Afghanistan, and could dent the group's ability to operate along the porous border with Pakistan's lawless tribal areas, the Associated Press reported.

It added that Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid denied the arrest in a message to Afghan media, but reportedly did not provide any evidence that he was free.