A former policeman in Egypt, Mohammed Atef is believed to be Osama bin Laden's chief battle lieutenant. He allegedly helped plot the twin bombings of U.S. embassies in Africa in 1998. Atef also assumes the role of bin Laden's media adviser. Bin Laden's eldest son married Atef's daughter in a January 2001 ceremony in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
U.S. officials said they have received "credible reports" that Atef was killed in an air strike, but they could not confirm those reports.