• NET Web Desk

The Taliban have reportedly denied the demise of one of their top leaders and current Deputy Prime Minister Mulla Baradar, claimed to have been killed in a shootout with rivals.

According to reports, an internal split has occurred in the war-torn country, nearly a month after gaining victory over the West-backed government in Kabul.

Sulail Shaheen, a Taliban spokesman, said Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, former head of the Taliban political office who was named deputy prime minister last week, issued a voice message rejecting claims he had been killed or injured in a clash.

“He says it is lies and totally baseless,” Shaheen said in a message on Twitter.

However, Taliban has also released video footage showing Baradar at meetings in the southern city of Kandahar.