Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi 'is definitely alive': Kurdish official

Refuting claims that Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has been killed, a Kurdish official said that he is certain that the Islamic State chief is still alive and is living in Raqqa city of Syria.

As per reports in Reuters, Lahur Talbany, a counter-terrorism official, said Baghdadi is alive and he is sure about it that he is not dead. He said they have information that Baghdadi is alive.

A few days back, Pentagon chief Jim Mattis had said he cannot confirm whether or not Islamic State chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is dead, after reports from Syria that the jihadist leader had been killed.

"If we knew, we would tell you -- right now, I can't confirm or deny it," Mattis had said.

Also Read: US general clueless about IS leader Baghdadi's death reports

"Our approach is we assume he's alive until it's proven otherwise, and right now I can't prove it otherwise."

Also Read: Top IS leaders confirm death of chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, says Syrian monitor