Islamabad ? Security forces have captured the Pakistani Taliban’s top spokesman in an operation near the Afghan border, intelligence officials said today.

The seizure of Mauvi Omar, a high-profile figure in the Taliban, was the latest blow to the militants after the reported death of top leader Baitullah Mehsud in a U.S. missile strike Aug. 5 and Monday’s capture of another leading commander.

Three intelligence officials said today that Omar was seized in a village in the Mohmand tribal region Monday night while he was traveling in a car with two associates to South Waziristan, a Taliban stronghold.

Local tribal elders assisted troops in locating Omar in the village of Khawazeo, the intelligence officials said. Pakistan army or government spokesmen were not immediately available for comments.