Taliban say founder of Haqqani network dies in Afghanistan

The founder of Afghanistan’s muchfeared Haqqani network, a former U.S. ally turned fierce enemy, has died after years of ill health, a Taliban spokesman said Tuesday. Jalaluddin Haqqani was 71.

Haqqani died Monday in Afghanistan, Zabihullah Mujahed said. The elderly founder of the outlawed Afghanistan-based organization, once hailed as a freedom fighter by President Ronald Reagan, had been paralyzed for the past 10 years.

Haqqani’s death is not expected to affect the network’s strategy.