Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN) The founder of the notorious Taliban-linked Haqqani network, which for decades was responsible for kidnappings and suicide bombings against the United States and its allies, has died, the Taliban said.

A statement distributed by Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid to journalists said Jalaluddin Haqqani passed away "after a long battle with illness," adding he had been "ill and bed-ridden for the past several years."

He passed operational control of the network to his son Siraj many years ago, who then became the No. 2 ranked commander in the Taliban.

The Haqqani network was formally designated a terrorist organization by the United States in 2012.

A picture dated 02 April 1991 shows Afghan commander Jalaluddin Haqqani (center) at his Pakistani base in Miram Shah with Amin Wardak and Abdul Haq, two top guerilla commanders.

The network, which is based in Waziristan, a tribal area of Pakistan, is linked with both the Taliban and al Qaeda. It also operates across the border in Afghanistan.

Read More