Taliban Deny Reports of Leader’s Death

A Taliban spokesman on Thursday denied media reports that the militant group’s leader, Mullah Haibatullah, has been killed.

Taliban Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahed denied the reports, saying Mullah Haibatullah is still alive and leading the group.

The Taliban is due to issue an official statement on Haibatullah’s alleged death soon.

The remarks came after Afghanistan’s 1TV said in a report that Mullah Haibatullah had died after being poisoned.

Afghanistan faces many security challenges years after the US and its allies invaded the country in 2001 as part of Washington’s so-called war on terror.

The offensive removed the Taliban from power, but many areas in the country are still beset with insecurity.