Omar died two or three years ago, across the border in Pakistan, the official said, asking not to be identified as the information isn't public. The Afghan government and Taliban declined to confirm or reject the reports.
"We have reports of Mullah Omar's demise," Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's deputy spokesman Sayed Zafar Hashemi told reporters at a hastily called briefing in Kabul on Wednesday. "We are checking these reports. Once we get a full confirmation on that, we'll let you know."
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahed said by phone the group was gathering information on reports of the death and would release a statement shortly.
The news of the death comes days before the Taliban and Ghani's administration are reportedly due to hold a second round of peace talks. While it isn't known if factions loyal to Omar had supported the talks, the Taliban in April had published a biography of the one-eyed jihadist, claiming he was alive and in charge of the militant group.
"This news is aimed at influencing the outcome of talks with the Taliban and reflects infighting within the group," said C. Uday Bhaskar, director of the Society for Policy Studies in New Delhi. "The militant part of Taliban that doesn't want talks could be trying to assert itself by leaking this news and appoint a new leader to revive the movement."
_ With assistance from Mark Williams in London and Unni Krishnan in New Delhi.
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