(CNN) -- The senior Haqqani network leader in Afghanistan, Haji Mali Khan, was captured during a joint NATO-Afghan forces operation, the International Security Assistance Force said Saturday.
Khan was captured Tuesday in Jani Khel district, in Paktiya province, ISAF said.
"The capture of Haji Mali Khan marks a significant milestone in the disruption of the Haqqani network," an ISAF statement said.
The Haqqani terrorist network is widely regarded as one of the most effective militant groups in Afghanistan. Western intelligence officials believe the Haqqanis were involved in the assassination this month of the Chairman of Afghanistan's High Peace Council, Burhanuddin Rabbani, and a June attack on the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul.
Khan is the uncle of Siraj and Badruddin Haqqani -- the brothers who lead the network -- and worked directly under Siraj, managing bases and overseeing operations in Afghanistan and Pakistan, ISAF said.
Although he was arrested Tuesday, his capture was not announced until Saturday because it took a few days to confirm his identity, NATO spokesman Lt. Col. Jimmie Cummings said.
Khan moved forces from Pakistan to Afghanistan to conduct terrorist activity, ISAF said.
According to ISAF, Khan in the past year established a militant camp in Paktiya province, transferred money to insurgents and help them acquire supplies.
He was heavily armed, but surrendered without incident, ISAF said.
CNN's Nick Paton Walsh contributed to this report.
Khan was captured Tuesday in Jani Khel district, in Paktiya province, ISAF said.
"The capture of Haji Mali Khan marks a significant milestone in the disruption of the Haqqani network," an ISAF statement said.
The Haqqani terrorist network is widely regarded as one of the most effective militant groups in Afghanistan. Western intelligence officials believe the Haqqanis were involved in the assassination this month of the Chairman of Afghanistan's High Peace Council, Burhanuddin Rabbani, and a June attack on the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul.
Khan is the uncle of Siraj and Badruddin Haqqani -- the brothers who lead the network -- and worked directly under Siraj, managing bases and overseeing operations in Afghanistan and Pakistan, ISAF said.
Although he was arrested Tuesday, his capture was not announced until Saturday because it took a few days to confirm his identity, NATO spokesman Lt. Col. Jimmie Cummings said.
Khan moved forces from Pakistan to Afghanistan to conduct terrorist activity, ISAF said.
According to ISAF, Khan in the past year established a militant camp in Paktiya province, transferred money to insurgents and help them acquire supplies.
He was heavily armed, but surrendered without incident, ISAF said.
CNN's Nick Paton Walsh contributed to this report.