Pakistan Security Arrests Two Top Pakistani Taliban Commanders

Security forces in Pakistan’s southwest have arrested two key commanders of the Pakistani Taliban, the Associated Press reported yesterday.

Baluchistan Interior Minister Ziaullah Langau confirmed the arrests of Commander Nasrullah and Commander Idress, stating the move was part of a “sophisticated intelligence-based operation” that prevented “possible high-profile attacks.”

The arrests come amid a surge in attacks by the Pakistani Taliban, who are allied with Afghanistan’s Taliban government.

Nasrullah, in a video statement, claimed the group and Baluch separatists receive support from Afghanistan. Pakistan has also accused the Afghan Taliban of harboring militants behind attacks, including one that killed five Chinese engineers in March.

The volatile Baluchistan province has faced a low-level insurgency by Baluch nationalists seeking greater autonomy.