KABUL, June 12 (Xinhuanet) -- Troops of Afghan National Army (ANA) have captured a senior Taliban operative in the militant-plaguing south Afghanistan, Defense Ministry spokesman said Sunday.

    "ANA's troops in a mop-up conducted in Tajdan and Taban areas of Uruzgan province captured a Taliban local commander Mullah JumaThursday," Zahir Azimi told journalists at a news conference.

    A large number of arms, munitions and documents including pamphlets and night letters were also found from his possession.

    "Another Taliban's local commander Mullah Sardar escaped from the scene," the spokesman added.

    The arrest took place just days after the arrest of Mullah Abdul Razaq, a Taliban active operative in Kandahar.

    Both the Taliban and government troops backed by US military have intensified their operations since the onset of spring in which over 150 people including civilians, militants, Afghan and US troops have been killed. Enditem