Ghanim Ghudayer, 22, considered one of the best players in Baghdad's Air Force Club, was abducted Sunday evening by unknown assailants, some who were wearing military uniforms, police said.

The head of the Air Force Club, Samir Kadhim, said the player, who also was on Iraq's Olympic team, had planned to leave for Syria in two or three days to join a new team there. Iraqi sports officials and athletes have frequently faced threats, kidnappings and killings.

At least two people also were killed and six were wounded in and around Baqouba, 35 miles northeast of Baghdad, in shootings and bomb attacks.

The violence came a day after Iraq's national security adviser announced the capture of al-Qaida in Iraq deputy Hamed Jumaa Farid al-Saeedi, also known as Abu Humam or Abu Rana, saying the arrest has left the terror group facing a "serious leadership crisis."

"Our troops have dealt fatal and painful blows to this organization," Mouwafak al-Rubaie said Sunday.

The Iraqi Defense Ministry also announced on Monday that 15 people believed to have been involved in insurgent activities were killed over the last 24 hours by Iraqi army units.

Al-Rubaie accused al-Saeedi, who he said was arrested a few days ago, of supervising the creation of death squads and ordering assassinations, bombings, kidnappings and attacks on Iraqi police and army checkpoints.

While it may be too soon to say what the effect will be of al-Saeedi's capture, sectarian violence and other attacks have continued after the arrests or killing of other high-ranking figures, including ousted leader Saddam Hussein.