Afghanistan investigating reports of Mullah Omar death

A Pakistani security official called the reports "speculation" designed to disrupt peace talks.

In this undated image released by the FBI, Mullah Omar is seen in a wanted poster. An official says the Afghan government is examining claims that the reclusive Taliban leader is dead.

The Afghan government is investigating reports that Mullah Omar, leader of the Afghan Taliban, is dead, a spokesman for the President’s office said on Wednesday.

Zafar Hashemi, a deputy spokesman for Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, made the announcement at a news conference on Wednesday in Kabul.

Afghan and Pakistani media reports this week said that the leader, who has not been seen in public since 2001, died about two years ago.

Some of the reports also indicated Mullah Omar’s son was in a position to take over the Islamist insurgency that is fighting against the Afghanistan government.

A Pakistani security official, speaking on condition of anonymity as he wasn’t authorised to brief journalists, called the circling rumours “speculation” designed to disrupt >peace talks .