By Saeed Ali Achakzai

SPIN BOLDAK, Afghanistan, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Taliban commander Mullah Brother told Reuters on Friday he was "alive and well", more than two weeks after the Afghan government announced he had been killed.

Brother served as a top military commander for the Taliban government until it was driven from power in 2001, and is a member of the movement's leadership council led by fugitive leader, Mullah Mohammad Omar.

The Afghan Defence Ministry said late last month Brother was killed in ground fighting in Helmand during a U.S.-led raid, launched after Taliban insurgents ambushed an Afghan army convoy between Sangin and Sarwan districts.

But, Brother said the report was part of America's disinformation campaign.

"I am alive and well and the Afghan government had issued a false news about my death," he said, speaking by satellite phone to a reporter familiar with his voice.

The rebel commander warned of a new offensive, involving suicide attacks, roadside bombs and guerrilla raids during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began on Friday.

"All preparation has been completed for carrying out new attacks across Afghanistan and a new operation named "Nusrat" (Help) will be launched in the holy month," he said, speaking from an undisclosed location. More than 7,000 people have been killed during the past 19 months in Afghanistan, the bloodiest period of the six-year Taliban insurgency.

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