The Afghan government is investigating reports that Taliban leader has died.
The death of Afghan Taliban leader, Mullah Mohammad Omar, has been confirmed by Pakistani authorities to Afghan government officials, according to media reports.
The Pakistani government claim the Taliban leader died around two years ago from tuberculosis.
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The Afghani Khaama Press news agency reports that the issue of Mullah Omar’s possible death was discussed by the Afghan Cabinet following confirmation from Pakistani authorities, RT reported
The Afghan Taliban are not divulging any information, but have said they will release a statement in due course. The militant group’s representatives have recently been in talks with top Afghan officials for the first time in Pakistan.
This is not the first time the death of Mullah Omar has been reported.
The US State Department is currently offering a $10 million reward for information leading to him.
The BBC report: The Taliban has yet to comment on the claim, which was made by top sources within the Afghan administration and intelligence agency.
The sources said the reclusive militant leader had died two to three years ago.
The latest claims of Mullah Omar’s death are being taken more seriously than previous such reports. The Taliban is expected to issue a statement soon.
A spokesman for Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said on Wednesday that the authorities were trying to verify the reports.
“As soon as we get any more authentication… we’re going to let the media and the people of Afghanistan know about that,” Sayed Zafar Hashemi said.
The Afghan government, elected last year, has embarked on a peace process with the Taliban.
A security official in Pakistan, the country hosting the talks, told the Associated Press news agency that the claims of Mullah Omar’s death were mere “speculation”, designed to destabilise the negotiations.
Taliban spokesman Qari Yousef Ahmadi, quoted by Sky News, said that Mullah Omar was “still alive and leading the movement”.
But a second spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, told the BBC a statement would be made in the coming hours.
Niamh Harris
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