Pakistan's security forces have arrested top Taliban spokesman Maulvi Omar in the northwest tribal district of Mohmand, military officials said Tuesday.

Omar, who joined Taliban ranks as a fighter in 2004, was a close aide of Baitullah Mehsud who was accused of being a key al-Qaeda facilitator in Pakistan's tribal areas along the Afghan border.

As the official spokesman for the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, Omar frequently called journalists to claim responsibility for terrorist attacks in Pakistan.

Believed to be about 40 years old, Omar rose to become the insurgents' spokesman in 2007 - the same year Mehsud took over as top Taliban commander.

Mehsud was reported killed earlier this month in a US drone missile strike in South Waziristan.

Omar's capture was the second high-profile arrest of a senior Taliban figure this week.

Pakistan