Afghan authorities said Sunday they have arrested the prime suspect in the murder of former President Burhanuddin Rabbani, head of the High Peace Council.

This announcement came amid pressure on the government of President Hamid Karzai from political opponents and the people of Afghanistan to act swiftly following the suicide bombing incident that killed Rabbani on Tuesday.

The New York Times reported that Hamidullah Akhund is in detention in Kabul and is currently being interrogated by intelligence agents. No details of the arrest were given.

Rabbani's death is considered a severe blow to peace talks with the Taliban and may jeopardize relationships among ethnic factions in the country.

It was learned that the suicide bomber, Mullah Estamullah, pretended to be a representative of the Taliban and was ushered into the home of the Afghan leader where he set off an explosive device hidden in his turban as he approached Rabbani.

Unidentified Afghan officials said Akhund was one of the main participants in talks between the council and the Taliban in Pakistan.

He went to Kabul twice to meet with Rabbani and Masoom Stanekzai, another member of the council, according to claims made by Ramatullah Wahidyar, who used to be a member of the Taliban but now sits on the peace body.

A week ago, Akhund claimed to have achieved a major step forward. The Quetta, Pakistan, group of the Taliban was willing to meet with representatives of the government. He said was in possession of a vital recorded message but could not go to the meeting with Rabbani personally and instead was sending an emissary who turned out to be the bomber.

Karzai sauid Sunday that "the Taliban has gained access to its target by enticing senior leaders with an audio tape that was suggesting that peace was near."

He described the ruse as a clear case of deception.

Wahidyar was also wounded in the explosion, which left him deaf in one ear and injured an arm.