Supreme leader of the Afghan Taliban Mullah Omar died over two years ago from Tuberculosis, a former Afghan Taliban minister and member of the central leadership council revealed to The Express Tribune on Wednesday.

 

“Mullah Omar died two years and four months ago owing to Tuberculosis. He has been buried on Afghan side of the border,” the former minister said on the condition of anonymity.

 

Further, he added, “Mullah Omar’s son had identified the body of his father.”

 

Meanwhile, some Afghan government officials told the media in Kabul that the Pakistani government has also conveyed to them that Mullah Omar has died.

 

Mullah Omar’s successor

 

The disclosure came as reports of the Afghan Taliban chief’s death sprung up yet again when the Afghan Taliban summoned a meeting on Wednesday to elect a new chief after some leaders of the militant group confirmed Mullah Omar’s death.

 

The former minister also disclosed that he was invited to attend the meeting.

 

Afghan Taliban leaders are said to have been involved in consultations to appoint a new leader.

 

It is widely speculated that Mullah Baradar Akhund will succeed Mullah Omar as the supreme leader of the Afghan Taliban.

 

Mullah Omar had appointed Mullah Baradar and Mullah Ubaidullah Akhund as deputy leaders while he was alive.

 

Mullah Ubaidullah died in a jail in Pakistan, according to the Taliban which leaves Mullah Baradar next in line.

 

Mullah Baradar was reportedly released by Pakistan along with some other Taliban leaders in 2013; however, some Taliban leaders still insist he has not been allowed to rejoin his family.

(The Express Tribune)