Pakistani security forces have arrested a pro-Taliban militant commander who had a bounty of PKR 10 million (USD 120,000) on his head.

Abdullah Shah Mehsud was taken into custody in the Tank district of North West Frontier Province (NWFP), after the bounty was paid to an informer who had information regarding the wanted militant commander's whereabouts, a Press TV correspondent reported.

The identity of the informer is being held due to security reasons, said a Thursday statement by the Pakistani military, which also confirmed Shah Mehsud's arrest.

Islamabad started offering reward for information leading to the capture, "dead or alive", of about 20 pro-Taliban militants in May. However, it is the first time that Pakistan has announced the actual payment of a reward.

Shah Mehsud was number 17 on a list of wanted militants issued by the Pakistani government. High ranking militant leaders Baitullah Mehsud and Maulana Fazlullah along with spokesman Hakimullah Mehsud top the list of wanted militants.

The Pakistani military also said that it has made some advancement in operation Rah-e-Nijat (the way of rescue), which is aimed at ridding villages of militants and returning calm to the country's tribal region.

The villages of Bangi Wal, Janata, Kunj Mela, Zawar Killi, Gund and Umar Raghzai, as well as 60 houses in Shahu village were cleared, the military said, adding that 4 suspected militants were also arrested.

Pakistan's lawless tribal belt on the Afghan border remains a safe haven for militants, who have fled Afghanistan in the aftermath of the 2001 US-led invasion of the country.

MMN/SS/MMA