 | « Back to article | Print this article |
Rumours of Omar's death gathered steam after a text message was allegedly sent from the mobile phone of Afghan Taliban Spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid announcing on behalf of the group that Amir-ul-Momineen (commander of the Muslim faithful) was dead.
The one-eyed, reclusive leader is one of the most wanted men in the world, and is believed to be living in Pakistan, probably in the city of Quetta.
In an email to the media, Mujahid denied reports of Omar's death. "Recently the website of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has been hacked by an enemy and they published an article saying that our beloved Ameer Mullah Muhammad Omar Mujahid had died due to cardiac arrest. When I saw this news I was very shocked. I contacted the administrator of the wesbsite and he said that it was hacked by the enemy," the email said.
"Amee- ul- Momineen is alive Alhamdulillah! May Allah give him a long life for jihad against the crusaders," it added.
This is not the first time speculation of Omar's death has surfaced. In May, the Taliban forcefully denied reports that their leader is dead.