Haqqani son's death a rumour, claims Taliban

Kabul, Aug. 27 (ANI): A Taliban spokesman in Afghanistan has rejected media reports stating that the son of the founder of the Haqqani Network has been killed, even as senior insurgents and members of the Pakistani government said they believe Badruddin Haqqani was dead.

"A number of media have reported that Badruddin Haqqani has been killed. We would like to inform all media that this rumour is not correct. Badruddin Haqqani is in the country and he is occupied with his operational responsibilities. He is alive and healthy. The rumour about him being killed is mere propaganda of the enemy," The Nation quoted spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid, as saying.

A senior Taliban commander, however, has asserted that a U.S. drone strike had killed Haqqani. His assertion, however, has not been independently confirmed.

Pakistani intelligence officials too have said they are 90 percent certain he was killed in an U.S. drone strike last Tuesday in the North Waziristan region. They said their information was based on reports received from their agents in the field but acknowledged they haven't spoken to anyone who has seen the body.

If confirmed, Haqqani's death would mark a major blow to the organization founded by his father, Jalaluddin Haqqani, which America considers as a powerful enemy in Afghanistan.

The Haqqani network has been blamed for a series of high-profile attacks and kidnappings in Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, the family of Afghan Taliban commander Jalaluddin Haqqani has also rejected reports of the death of Badruddin.

Badruddin is considered a vital part of the Haqqani structure and is believed to have played an active role in kidnappings, extortion and high-profile operations in Afghanistan.

The U.S. State Department has designated Badruddin, along with his father and brothers, Nasiruddin and Sirajuddin, as terrorists. The State Department said in May 2011 that Badruddin sits on the Miramshah Shura, a group that controls all Haqqani Network activities and coordinates attacks in southeastern Afghanistan. (ANI)