ISLAMABAD: Security forces captured the Pakistani Taliban's top spokesman, and he acknowledged the death of the group's leader in a recent US missile strike, officials said yesterday - further signs the militants are in disarray since the American attack.

US and Pakistani officials have said they were almost certain that the chief, Baitullah Mehsud, had been killed in the August 5 strike, but at least three Taliban operatives, including the detainee, Maulvi Umar, had called media organizations following the attack to say he was still alive.

Umar's comments - relayed by an intelligence official who took part in the questioning - would be first admission by the Taliban that Mehsud was dead. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.