BBC reports say that the leader of the Afghan Taliban, Mullah Mohammed Omar, has died, but the militant group has not commented on the claim.
Afghan Government and Intelligence sources say that the Taliban leader died 2 to 3 years ago. No further details have been released. The Afghan Government has called for an urgent press release.
There have been several reports of Mullah Omar's death in the past, but this is the first time it has been confirmed by the top Afghan officials.
Mullah Omar led the Taliban to victory over rival Afghan militias in the civil war that followed the withdrawal of Soviet troops. His alliance with al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden prompted the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks on New York and Washington. His damaged eye sets him apart which he got during an attack.
Mullah Omar has since been in hiding, with a $10m US state department bounty on his head. Over the years, the Taliban have released several messages purported to be from the fugitive leader.
The claim has come at a time when there have been developments in the Peace talks with the Afghan Government.
*This is a developing story