Mullah Omar did not die in Pakistan: Khawaja Muhammad Asif

Islamabad, Aug 7: Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Omar did not die in Pakistan nor was he buried in the country, said Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif while addressing the National Assembly on Friday.

In July Afghanistan said that Mullah Omar, the reclusive leader of the Afghan Taliban movement, died more than two years ago in Karachi.

According to a statement issued by the Afghan presidential palace "The government ... based on credible information, confirms that Mullah Mohammad Omar, leader of the Taliban died in April 2013 in Pakistan."

He also denied his presence in Quetta and Karachi. He even claimed that he was not treated in a Karachi hospital, Dawn online reported.

"Pakistan does not want to be involved in controversy pertaining to Taliban leadership," said Asif.

Asif said that statements made by Mullah Omar's family prove that he died in Afghanistan and was buried there as well.

"Pakistan is just playing its role as a facilitator in negotiations between the Afghan Taliban and the Afghan government for peace in the region," added Asif.

Mullah Omar's death in Pakistan was also confirmed by the Afghanistan's main intelligence agency.

Afghan Taliban who confirmed his death but did not reveal anything about place and time of his death.

Omar's death marks a significant blow to the Taliban, which is riven by internal divisions and threatened by the rise of the self-styled Islamic State group, the Middle East jihadist outfit that is making steady inroads in Afghanistan.

OneIndia News