Image : Jalaluddin Haqqani the father of Badruddin Haqqani


ISLAMABAD: The family of Afghan Taliban commander Jalaluddin Haqqani and a senior commander of the dreaded Haqqani network have rejected reports of the death of Badruddin Haqqani in a US drone strike in Pakistan's restive North Waziristan last week.

Maulvi Ahmed Jan, a top commander of the Haqqani network, claimed Badruddin, believed to be in mid-30s was safe.

"Badruddin Haqqani is safe and sound and engaged in jihad against the occupying forces in Afghanistan along with male members of the Haqqani family," he said.

"The only family member who died in the drone attack last Tuesday was 13-year-old Osama, who was not involved in the operational affairs of the Haqqani network and was a distant relative of Badruddin Haqqani," Jan was quoted as saying by The News today.

Badruddin, the son of Jalaluddin Haqqani, is ranked as a deputy to his elder brother and the network's chief Sirajuddin .


The Times of India - Sun Aug 26, 4:23 am ET