KABUL: Nato says it has captured a senior leader of the Haqqani 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 group.

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

The network has been described as the most serious security threat in Afghanistan.