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Taliban conflict: Afghanistan examines Mullah Omar 'death' claim Taliban conflict: Afghanistan examines Mullah Omar 'death' claim
(35 minutes later)
The Afghan government is investigating new reports that Taliban leader Mullah Omar has died, a spokesman said.The Afghan government is investigating new reports that Taliban leader Mullah Omar has died, a spokesman said.
The Taliban has yet to comment on the claim, which was made by top sources within the Afghan administration and intelligence agency.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 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.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.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."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.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.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".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.But a second spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, told the BBC a statement would be made in the coming hours.
Who is Mullah Omar?Who is Mullah Omar?
Mullah Mohammed OmarMullah Mohammed Omar
Mullah Omar led the Taliban to victory over rival Afghan militias in the civil war that followed the withdrawal of Soviet troops.Mullah Omar led the Taliban to victory over rival Afghan militias in the civil war that followed the withdrawal of Soviet troops.
His alliance with al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden prompted the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks on New York and Washington.His alliance with al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden prompted the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks on New York and Washington.
Mullah Omar has since been in hiding, with a $10m (£6.4m) US State Department bounty on his head.Mullah Omar has since been in hiding, with a $10m (£6.4m) US State Department bounty on his head.
Over the years, the Taliban have released several messages purported to be from the fugitive leader.Over the years, the Taliban have released several messages purported to be from the fugitive leader.
The latest of these statements, from mid-July, expressed support for the peace talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government.The latest of these statements, from mid-July, expressed support for the peace talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government.
However, the message was in the form of a text published on a Taliban website, rather than an audio or video recording - fuelling rumours that the leader was dead or incapacitated.However, the message was in the form of a text published on a Taliban website, rather than an audio or video recording - fuelling rumours that the leader was dead or incapacitated.
The failure to prove that Mullah Omar was alive was a major factor behind the defection of several senior Taliban commanders to the so-called Islamic State group, according to the BBC's former Kabul correspondent, David Loyn.The failure to prove that Mullah Omar was alive was a major factor behind the defection of several senior Taliban commanders to the so-called Islamic State group, according to the BBC's former Kabul correspondent, David Loyn.
The man who wasn't there? Analysis - Dawood Azami, BBC World Service
Despite rumours about his death, statements have continued to be issued on behalf of Mullah Omar in recent years. Mullah Omar has not been seen in public since the fall of the Taliban regime in late 2001.
The most recent was earlier this month, backing peace talks involving the Taliban. The absence of confirmed contacts for several years fuelled speculation. His ill-health and even death have regularly been rumoured in the past.
In June 2014, he reportedly praised a prisoner swap with the US. Over the past two years, even some high-ranking Taliban started asking questions, both privately and within the Taliban circles, about their leader's health, life and ability to run the insurgency.
And the year before, he is reported to have said the Taliban would not seek to take part in a power grab when the US military left Afghanistan. Despite his long absence from the public view, the mystique of the man has been overwhelming. He had become a symbol and a unifying figure within the Taliban. While the day-to-day affairs have been managed by his deputies, everything else revolved around his name.
Questions about his life and whereabouts will only increase, putting pressure on the Taliban to produce credible evidence - if he is alive.