Taliban deny report of Haqqani commander's death

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) -- There are conflicting statements about whether the son of the founder of the powerful Haqqani militant network is dead.

A Taliban spokesman in Afghanistan rejected reports that Badruddin Haqqani has been killed. But senior insurgents and members of the Pakistani government say they believe he is dead. His death would mark a major blow to the organization.

The Taliban spokesman in Afghanistan said in an email sent to reporters late Saturday that Haqqani is alive and in good health in Afghanistan.

Pakistani intelligence officials say their information that Haqqani died in a drone strike was based on reports received from their agents in the field but acknowledged they haven't spoken to anyone who has seen the body.

The network is viewed by the U.S. as a powerful enemy in Afghanistan and the son is considered the network's day-to-day operations commander.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)