A few days ago Afghan Taliban has issued a statement backing peace talks, claiming that it was by its supreme leader Mullah Omar, now reports have emerged claiming that the militant outfit's one-eyed leader has died. BBC has reported that, Afghan government sources​ have confirmed the reports on the death of Mullah Omar.

A report has been published by Khaama Press claiming that Mullah Omar was killed two years ago in July. The report cited Qari Hamza, the spokesperson of the Afghanistan Islamic Movement Fidai Mahaz, said that Mullah Omar was killed two years ago by Taliban commanders Mullah Akhtar Muhammad Mansoor and Gull Agha in July 2013.

"There is a lot of doubt whether he is alive or not. But we are more confident that he is in Karachi," Afghan intelligence chief Rahmatullah Nabil said.

The militant group has not commented on the claim, but a Taliban spokesperson told BBC that they would issue a statement shortly.

The Pakistani authorities also said that Mullah Omar had died two years ago, but no further details were given regarding the circumstances surrounding his death.

The death of Mullah Mohammad Omar, the supreme leader of the Afghan Taliban, has been confirmed by the authorities in Pakistan and has shared the information with Afghan government officials.

There was no word of confirmation from the Afghan Taliban, whose representatives have recently held talks with the top Afghan officials in the Pakistani resort of Murree. The National Directorate of Security (NDS), Afghanistan’s spy agency, had said that in last November Mullah Omar had possibly been killed by the rival group and his group has split into three factions.

Mullah Mohammed Omar was not been seen in public since the US-led intervention in 2001. Some disgruntled Taliban factions have claimed that he is dead or very ill and others may be making statements in his name.

Who is Mullah Mohammed Omer

1. Taliban said that he was born in 1960 in the village of Chah-i-Himmat, in Kandahar province

2. Fought in resistance against Soviet occupation in 1980s, suffering a shrapnel injury to his right eye

3. Forged close ties to al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden

4. Became "Supreme Leader" of the Taliban movement in 1996

5. US-led forces overthrew his government in 200

6.  US state department has a $10m bounty on him

7. Earlier this year the Taliban published a biography of him stating that he does not own a home and has no foreign bank account.

By Premji