( CNN ) -- A top-level Pakistani Taliban leader was captured by U.S. forces in a military operation , a State Department spokesman said Friday . The Pakistani Taliban , known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan ( TTP ) , confirmed Friday that its deputy chief , Latif Mehsud , was arrested in Afghanistan 's Khost province four days ago , but it received word of the arrest Thursday , said a source within the terror organization who spoke on the condition of anonymity . Mehsud , 32 , who 's from Sararogha in South Waziristan , is a key aide to TTP leader Hakeemullah Masud and organized all external meetings with journalists and others on behalf of the chief . The TTP had ties with the failed attempt to bomb Times Square in New York in 2010 , said Marie Harf , deputy spokeswoman for the State Department . `` I do n't have further details about the operation to share with you at this time , '' Harf said Friday of Mehsud 's arrest . `` TTP has , is also responsible for attacks on our diplomats in Pakistan and attacks that have killed countless Pakistani civilians . ''
Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan confirms the arrest , source says . Deputy chief Latif Mehsud is arrested in Afghanistan 's Khost province , source says . `` I do n't have further details about the operation , '' State Department spokeswoman says .