Tech-savvy Taliban fights war in cyberspace

Taliban deny that their leader is dead

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Taliban spokesmen in Afghanistan denied Wednesday that the insurgent group's leader Mullah Mohammed Omar had died, claiming that a phone message and a posting on the Internet were fake.

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid told The Associated Press that a text message sent to journalists on his behalf was the result of a phone hack.

"He is overseeing operations in the country," he told the AP. He added that "outsiders must have hacked into Taliban phones and the website." Mujahid blamed U.S. intelligence agencies, saying they were trying "to demoralize the Taliban."

Rumors spread that Mullah Omar had died when the text message, allegedly sent from Mujahid, announced that the "Amir ul Mumineen," or "commander of the Muslim faithful," was dead. That title is reserved for the Taliban leader.

Afghan and coalition military officials also said they could not confirm the reports of his death.

Another Taliban spokesman, Qari Yousef Ahmadi, also denied by phone to the AP that Mullah Omar had died.

"Those agents who have been unsuccessful in Afghanistan are now trying to use these tactics to bring down the morale of the mujahedeen," he said.

A message that Mujahid sent later from a different phone number again denied his death.More...