KABUL, July 29 : The Afghan government is investigating reports of the death of Taliban supremo Mullah Omar, a presidential spokesman said on Wednesday, amid frenzied speculation about the rumoured demise of the reclusive warrior-cleric.
The Taliban have not officially confirmed the death of Mullah Omar, who has not been seen publicly since the 2001 US-led invasion of Afghanistan toppled the Taliban government in Kabul.
His ill-health or even death have regularly been rumoured in the past.
The announcement from spokesman Sayed Zafar Hashemi came after unnamed government and militant sources told media that the one-eyed leader died two or three years ago.
"We have seen reports in the media regarding the death of Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Omar," Hashemi told a press conference. ?AFP