Update 3 – Afghanistan Confirms Taliban Chief Mullah Omar's Death

The Afghan government has confirmed the reported death of Taliban chief Mullah Mohammad Omar. 



The presidential palace released a statement on Wednesday claiming that he died two years ago, after earlier declining to confirm or deny rumours leaked by government sources. 



"The government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, based on credible information, confirms that Mullah Mohammad Omar, leader of the Taliban died in April 2013 in Pakistan," said the statement. "The government of Afghanistan believes that grounds for the Afghan peace talks are more paved now than before, and thus calls on all armed opposition groups to seize the opportunity and join the peace process."



An Afghan government official earlier told Anadolu Agency that the information had been passed on by Pakistan and that Mullah Omar had died of an illness. 



Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid had earlier told Anadolu Agency that the group was looking into the death but did not deny the reports. 



Another highly-placed Afghan government official told Anadolu Agency that a security meeting was held Tuesday to discuss the implications of Mullah Omar's death and how it could affect peace talks between the Taliban and the government. 



Mullah Omar's reported death is expected to spark a leadership contest within the Taliban with many reports suggesting one of Mullah Omar's sons could take over while others believed the Taliban's second-in-command Mullah Mansoor Dadullah would take charge. 



Many Afghans reacted to the reports of Mullah Omar's death with skepticism after earlier reports about the death of Mullah Omar proved to be hoaxes. 



The mysterious Taliban chief has rarely been seen and went into hiding after the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, with even many of his fighters left unaware of whether he was alive. 



The reported death comes as Afghan and Taliban representatives were reportedly scheduled to hold a second round of peace talks on Friday, leading many to question the timing of the announcement, given that the reports claimed he died two years ago.  



Only two weeks ago, the Taliban released an Eid message attributed to Mullah Omar calling on Taliban fighters to back the peace talks. - Kabil