Taliban Chief Mullah Omar has died, according to multiple reports citing Afghan government officials.
The official, who spoke on condition of confidentiality, did not provide more details.
BBC PTV Afghanistan correspondent Harun Najafizada cited “two reliable sources” in Afghanistan’s unity government reporting Omar’s death.
A Taliban spokesman contacted by the BBC said the group would issue a statement shortly. This is the first to be confirmed by top sources in the Afghan government.
No cause of death was given, while some reports on Wednesday claimed Omar died three years ago.
Omar went into hiding with a $10m US state department bounty on his head.