NATO captures senior Haqqani leader in Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) -- NATO says it has captured a senior leader of the al-Qaida- and Taliban-allied Haqqani terror network operating inside Afghanistan.

NATO announced on Saturday that the coalition forces seized Haji Mali Khan during an operation in eastern Paktia province, which borders Pakistan.

The alliance called it a significant milestone in the fight against the terror group.

NATO identified Khan as an uncle of Siraj and Badruddin Haqqani, two of the son's of the network's aging leader Jalaludin Haqqani.

The Pakistan-based network is affiliated to both the Taliban and al-Qaida and has been described as the most serious security threat in Afghanistan.